Mary Henry is on the couch this week
Occupation: Senator and Medical Practitioner
Personal/Family: Married with three adult children
What figure from the world of health/medicine do you most admire?
Dr Mary Hearn, formerly physician to the Victoria Hospital, Cork and my childhood GP.
What alternative career might you have chosen?
Journalism!
If you were appointed Minister for Health what would be your first priority?
Building a new Central Mental Hospital - it's a disgrace.
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear? Rats.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
I've been a patient many, many times - practice has made me perfect.
What three books would you bring to a desert island?
Pride and Prejudice, The Bible and Teach Yourself Italian.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress?
I cannot eat - I told a friend this one time and he said: "you mustn't get stressed very often!"
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Channel 4 News and 5-7 Live on RTÉ.
If you did not live in Ireland where would you chose to spend the rest of your life?
Italy, preferably near Sienna.
Summarise yourself in 12 words?
I think I drive people mad and I don't mind.
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies?
No
Who or what makes you laugh?
Paul Bremner and his colleagues