ON THE COUCH:Dr Gary A Kearney, director of food science with Safefood, the Food Safety Promotion Board, talks to FIONA TYRRELL.
Family/personal:
Married to Noreen.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
At the moment it has to be fellow Corkman Declan Kidney whose honesty and humility masks a highly effective style of man management and professionalism.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland’s health system?
There is a need for more consistency in integration of services. There is not enough priority given to a “whole team” approach to the provision of medical care and there is insufficient emphasis on preventative healthcare.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
My closest friends plus Rafa Benitez to discuss Liverpool FC, Hillary Clinton and Bertie Ahern for political chat and gossip, Rachel Allen to cook for me the Safefood way (safely and healthily) and, finally, Ryan Tubridy for his fun attitude.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being in my full health, sitting with my wife in Anfield watching Liverpool win the premiership.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Honesty, loyalty and acceptance of people for who they are.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
A love of strawberry ripple ice cream with white chocolate.
What is your greatest extravagance?
It must be holiday travel. My favourite saying is “life is not a rehearsal”, so I’m a real believer in going out there and travelling the world and enjoying new experiences and cultures.
How do you relax?
Holidays, but also sharing a good meal with close friends, good conversation and craic, safe food and a nice wine – all often undervalued.
Do you use alternative/ complementary medicines or therapies?
No.
What is your earliest memory?
I was three years of age when my mother brought my baby brother Niall home from the hospital.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to sing like Josh Groban, play football like Fernando Torres and give a speech like Barack Obama.
What is your most treasured possession?
Family, wedding and travel photographs that can never be replaced.
What other career might you have chosen?
The other career I might have chosen is probably law.
What books or films have inspired you?
Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie; the many speeches and books of Prof John Kotter, the change management guru of Harvard Business School; Colin Powell's autobiography My American Journeyfor how he translates the many challenges he has faced into life lessons and the movie Prince of Tideswhich helps inform why people sometimes behave the way they do.