Ray Bonar,Chief ambulance officer with the national ambulance service.
Personal/family:Married to Cait with three sons, Raymond, Gerard and Karl. I have four grand-children - twins Grace and Emma, Jane and Keith.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
Prof Gerry Bury from UCD who championed and facilitated the introduction of Irish paramedic education in the third-level sector and Dr Douglas Chamberlain who introduced the concept of out-of-hospital emergency medical intervention to these islands.
What other career might you have chosen?
In my early years I worked in the area of telecommunications, this was followed by a period in the Air Corps where I trained and worked as an air traffic control officer. I also worked in the areas of training management and systems analysis. I have been in the ambulance service for 21 years.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
I would like to see an integrated system of pre-hospital and acute care being driven at a community level including the use of community paramedics to treat, care for or refer patients in their own communities. I would also like to see the development of the advanced paramedic programme and the development of a significant research capacity in clinical care in the service.
What is your greatest fear?
Not having a challenge that keeps me mentally and physically alive.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
I have been an inpatient on three occasions over the past four years. I believe I was a compliant and co-operative patient.
When or where are you happiest?
I have always been happy in all stages of my life. Key events were my marriage to Cait and the birth of each of my sons and grandchildren.
How do you cope with stress?
I tend to deal quite well with events that might cause stressful experiences. I usually ask myself whether worrying about this issue will make a difference in coming to a solution to a problem presented. The answer is usually "no". I sleep well every night and leave my problems at work.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Persistence and not allowing myself to be overcome by the size and extent of any problem.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
Impatience.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
No.
Who or what makes you laugh?
The humour and approaches to life of many of my colleagues.
What is your motto?
Never say never.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Seinfield, every news programme and The Oireachtas Report.
What books would you bring to a desert island?
Any local history books about areas I am familiar with and military and aviation history publications.