Community pharmacist Ronan Quirke
Occupation: Community pharmacist and president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
Personal/family: Living in Clonmel with Tara.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire?
Frederick Banting and Charles Best, who revolutionised endocrinology with their breakthrough development of the use of insulin in treating diabetes.
What other career might you have chosen?
Broadcasting or sports journalism.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be?
Update the archaic 1875 Pharmacy Act so that the patients who utilise pharmacy services are better served. Improve access to the health service by dealing with waiting lists and A&E departments and remove any imbalance and inequity in health provision.
What is your greatest fear?
Not being able to protect my family.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Yes, only last month in fact, and I think I mostly did what I was told.
When or where are you happiest?
Entertaining friends at home.
How do you cope with stress?
Any Saturday evening in Thomond Park normally does the trick.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Tolerance.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself?
I think I procrastinate a lot.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies?
No, but I eat a lot of garlic.
Who or what makes you laugh?
My friends Ed, Kevin and Owen - they should have been on the stage.
What is your motto?
Keep going.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Morning Ireland and everything of a sporting nature on TV.
What books would you bring to a desert island?
Everything written by Ben Schott and Robert Fisk.