Pat Quinlan, chairman of the Irish Association of Palliative Care
Occupation: Chief executive, Milford Care Centre, Limerick, and chairman, Irish Association of Palliative Care.
Personal/family: Married to Mary, who also works in the health services, and I have four sons - Mark, Conor, David and Evan.
What figure from the world of medicine/health do you most admire? The person I admired most in the world of medicine/health recently passed away and that was Dame Cicily Saunders who established St Christopher's Hospice in London in the mid-1960s, a service which influenced and shaped the modern day hospice movement.
What other career might you have chosen? I had an interest in becoming a garda. However, at a young age I was told by a senior garda to stay in the health services and so here I am.
If you were appointed Minister for Health, what would be your first priority? I feel there should be a significant investment put into primary care. Keeping the patient at home and out of hospital or residential care has to be a priority. I would like to see the recommendations of the 2001 National Advisory Report for Palliative Care implemented and also would like to see a very significant investment into what traditionally has been the "Cinderella" health service area (ie care of older people).
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear? I don't like very confined spaces and my greatest fear is getting to my "best before" date.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one? I was a patient and I felt I was a good patient. However, my colleagues reminded me recently about my over-anxiety to get back to work!
What three books would you bring to a desert island? The Da Vinci Code by Dan Browne, Bill Clinton's autobiography and Treasure Island.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress? I have at least one "get away from it all" holiday a year. I play tennis, walk and keep threatening to play more golf.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme? My Family and RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
If you did not live in Ireland, where would you choose to spend the rest of your life? Either the south of France or south of Spain.
Summarise yourself in about 12 words. An energetic, strong and caring person who prides himself on getting a job well done.
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies? No, but we have an aromatherapy service in Milford and I have been tempted to give it a try.
Who or what makes you laugh? For me to hear a young child laughing is highly intoxicating and I invariably end up laughing myself. Comedians like Billy Connolly also work well for me.
(In interview with Dr Muiris Houston)