Fergus O'Kelly, GP, director of GP training, lecturer in GP, Trinity College Dublin.
Personal/family: Married to Anne, we have three grown-up children - Siobhan, Mark and Conor.
What figures from the world of medicine/health do you most admire?
1) William Pickles, Yorkshire GP and first president of the RCGP.
2) Noel Browne.
3) Ernesto Che Guevra.
What other career might you have chosen?
Beach bum.
If you were appointed Minister for Health, what would be your first priority?
Scrap the "gold card" over-70s GMS scheme. It is inequitable, divisive and too costly. It has done more damage than good - an expensive political stroke.
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear?
Fear of heights - mild to moderate. Not being listened to.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Yes, an appendectomy at age 11 years. I was a little angel.
What three books would you bring to a desert island?
Ulysses, Lord of the Rings and JFK: Reckless Youth.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress?
Hill walking in good company.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Lyric FM's breakfast show; have given up on "Moaning Ireland".
If you did not live in Ireland, where would you choose to spend the rest of your life?
Northern Italy for culture, scenery, food climate and a chilled lifestyle.
Summarise yourself in 12 words.
Concerned, enthusiastic, empathetic, happy, determined, mercurial, compassionate, forgetful, absent, grouchy, self-righteous and (occasionally) pompous. (The last few items were chosen by family and practice colleagues.)
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies?
No.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Writing the above, The Simpsons, family and friends.