Causes of stress:
In the last year, I've taken over the running of the traffic section. We work seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and a huge part of what we do is the broadcasting: the traffic and travel information on the radio and television.
It's a very busy department. Roadwatch started 11 years ago, initially as a part-time service, just the bare minimum. But a couple of years ago we expanded that to 17 hours a day and, hopefully, by this time next year we'll be going 24 hours. There are weekends involved as well, but I'm lucky enough not to do weekends now.
The broadcasting is an adrenalin rush. I start at 6 a.m. or 7 a.m., and we start gathering information from that time. My first broadcast is at 6.20 a.m. - I do 2FM and Morning Ireland on RT╔ Radio 1 as well.
I'm up at 5 a.m. and drive in from Kingswood Heights: I fly in at that time. Any time I get stuck in traffic, I completely sympathise with people. I just ask myself: "how do they do this every day?"
When we're going on air, there can be some very tight moments, when you hear your jingle for the traffic report and are still grabbing your information. But it just comes to you.
Rush hour lasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., then starts again at 3 p.m., but there's always somebody there to cover everything. Friday evenings are just the worst: everyone is heading off on every national route. Every Friday it's just that bank-holiday feeling: it's a mass exodus. But we've a great team and there's a really good buzz.
I finish at 4 p.m. or maybe 5 p.m. But my schedule is very busy, and there are days when I'll have to be around later than that to talk to a client.
Coping with stress:
In terms of relaxation, I joined a gym in Tallaght recently, and I find it great. I just go up on my own and work out. The job is always there in the background, but the phone is switched off in the gym. I love walking, and I sometimes head out by D·n Laoghaire.
Social life:
I was at Witnness the music festival recently, and it was the best weekend I had in years: it was super. Do I consider my colleagues my friends? It's a fine line. I have been here so long I know everybody, but you have to keep things at a professional level and maintain a professional distance.
In conversation with Elaine Edwards