Seamus FeelyOccupation: Secretary general, Irish Pharmaceutical Union.
Personal & Family: Married to Deirdre with two daughters, Nicola and Claire.
What figure from the world of health/ medicine do you most admire?
Dr Maurice Neligan - he became the public face of cardiac surgery and gave people the confidence to successfully avail of such procedures, some of whom I know.
What alternative career might you have chosen?
I would have liked to have had the opportunity to own and manage my own business.
If you were appointed Minister for Health, what would be your first priority?
My first priority would be to ensure that everyone has access to both basic primary healthcare and the information and resources to enable them to adopt a health lifestyle regardless of income.
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear?
I dread being late for meetings and my greatest fear would be that some day my native county Roscommon would lose a championship match to their neighbours, Leitrim!
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Fortunately, I have had only one overnight stay in hospital in all my life. However, I could resign myself to being there if I was ill and would be a good patient, I think.
What three books would you bring to a desert island?
Tim Pat Coogan's biography of Michael Collins, Colleen McCullough's Caesar's Women and a collection of Paddy Kavanagh's poetry.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress?
Physical exercise helps but nothing beats a trip to Croghan in Co Roscommon where my parents live to get away from it all and totally de-stress.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
The Vincent Browne show and Heartbeat.
If you did not live in Ireland, where would you choose to spend the rest of your life?
California for the sunshine and lifestyle.
Summarise yourself in 12 words.
Committed, sensitive, motivated, sometimes impatient but always enjoys personal interaction with others.
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies?
I have tried yoga, reiki and reflexology.
Who or what makes you laugh?
Apart from Kirk in Coronation Street, it's my family, close friends and work colleagues.
(In interview with Dr Muiris Houston)