Dara Gantly: Occupation/Journalist and editor of Medicine Weekly.
Family: Recently married Lucy.
What figure from the world of health/medicine do you most admire?
Historically, Dr Charles Cameron, for his tireless and innovative work in improving the health of Dublin's poor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Former British minister of health, Aneurin Bevan, would also be a figure of great admiration for creating the ideal of the NHS. Anyone working abroad with Médecins Sans Frontières. And finally, Dr Charles Bovary for putting up with his wife, Emma!
What alternative career might you have chosen?
Engineering was a real possibility, or, nowadays, a chef.
If you were appointed Minister for Health, what would be your first priority?
I would move my office out of Hawkins House, then place a moratorium on creating additional task forces or steering committees until the targets of the Health Strategy and Primary Care Strategy were met, preferably on time. I would place an emphasis on increasing bed capacity.
Do you have a phobia/what is your greatest fear?
A latent fear of heights, prompted by cliff walking in Crete.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one?
Yes, as a child. I was probably more compliant then than I would be now.
What three books would you bring to a desert island?
The Telling, by Ursula K Le Guin, is the current Book Club choice, and I would have no excuse for not finishing it. Europe: A History, by Norman Davies, would both inform and keep me occupied, while Homer's Odyssey should prove inspirational to find my way home.
Have you a fail-safe method of dealing with stress?
Still looking for the fail-safe approach, although cooking comes close. I would love the guitar to take its place.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme?
Any current affairs radio, along with Mooney Goes Wild for something different. I have an annoying habit of channel surfing on TV - I guess hoping to find an old episode of Frasier.
If you did not live in Ireland, where would you choose to spend the rest of your life?
Probably where I am going on my next holiday - Crete. But not too close to the cliffs.
Summarise yourself in 12 words?
I could only cobble together six, so I'll have to get back to you.
Do you use alternative medicine/therapies?
No, but I hope I would be open enough to do so if the need was to arise.
Who or what makes you laugh?
My wife, Lucy, and old episodes of Frasier.