Eugene Murray, chief executive of the Irish Hospice Foundation
Occupation: chief executive, Irish Hospice Foundation.
Personal/family: Married to Avril Burgess an educational psychologist with three children, Robin, Julian and Bevan
What figure from the world of medicine/ health do you most admire? All carers - whether in the home, nursing home, hospital or hospice.
What other career might you have chosen? First career was as a journalist and TV producer/director. Then moved into management. Would have been attracted to diplomacy. Friends tell me that I am not well qualified for that preference.
If you were appointed Minister for Health, what would be your first priority? Put in place a comprehensive hospice and palliative care service in every county in Ireland.
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear? My greatest fear is falling over the dog. (see below).
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one? Spent six hours on a trolley in A&E with a dislocated shoulder - after falling over the dog. A very bad patient.
What three books would you bring to a desert island? Lonesome Dove by Larry Mc Murtry, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, The Putting Bible by David Peltz.
Have you a fail safe method of dealing with stress? Make a list.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme? On TV - Questions and Answers and Prime Time; Radio - Morning Ireland and Vincent Browne Tonight.
If you did not live in Ireland, where would you choose to spend the rest of your life? In a small coastal village in the south of France.
Summarise yourself in 12 words: News junkie, who takes on too much and could improve his putting.
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies? Exercise, water and vitamin C.
Who or what makes you laugh? Paul Merton on - Have I Go News For You.
(Interview by Dr Muiris Houston)