Prof Niamh Brennan is on the couch this week
Occupation: Niamh Brennan is Michael MacCormac professor of management in UCD. A chartered accountant and academic director of Institute of Directors Centre for Corporate Governance, UCD, she came to public prominence as chairwoman of Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service, also known as The Brennan Commission.
Personal/Family: Married with three sons, Hugh, Ross and John
What figure from the world of health/medicine do you most admire? I know very few medical people, and most of those I know, I don't know well. My brother-in-law is a GP. I have met many of his patients all of whom speak very highly of him.
I would be very happy if my students spoke as well of me as his patients do of him.
What alternative career might you have chosen?
I studied science (microbiology and biochemistry) at UCD. Had I known that I was going to end up as an academic, I might have taken an easier route by doing a science PhD and lecturing in Microbiology.
Instead, I trained as a chartered accountant, and much later completed my PhD in accountancy at the University of Warwick.
But Ireland of the 1970s was not a great place for research scientists.
Do you have a phobia / what is your greatest fear?
I continue to have bad dreams about failing exams (which I never did, but always feared). So, I empathise with students (more than they realise!) even though I am now on the other side of the fence.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
I have only been a maternity patient (Rotunda Hospital), and those three occasions were such happy ones that I hope I was not in the least bit troublesome.
You have been appointed Minister for Health, what will your first priority be? This could never happen. I would never have the patience to be a politician and put up with the constant stream of complaints and criticism to which they are subject.
Also, I could not cope with the stress of competing for my job every four years.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress?
The gym and long walks.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
A touch of Frost, any period dramas
If you did not live in Ireland where would you chose to spend the rest of your life?
I am not well-travelled, but one of the nicest places I have been to is New Zealand
Summarise yourself in 12 words?
Independent-minded, outspoken, straight, conscientious, dependable, driven, focused, energetic, efficient, tetchy, happy
Do you use alternative medicine/ therapies?
No
Who or what makes you laugh?
"Himself"