ON THE COUCH: Máire O'Leary is chief executive of St Gabriel's Centre, a voluntary organisation for children with disabilities
Family/personal:
Married to Shane Leonard with two children: Olivia (15) and Jack (13).
Which living person do you most admire and why?
No one person jumps out, but I have been working in the disability sector for almost 30 years, and in that time the courage and tenacity of the families we work with as a group never fail to astound me.
What do you regard as the top three problems facing Ireland's health system?
The health service may be an easy target for savings during an economic downturn, but it is imperative that all the proposed service developments continue as planned.
One of the biggest problems we see in our sector is a lack of co-ordination - trying to navigate your way through our fragmented services as a family of a child with disability is very difficult.
We also have found that there is no equity of service in Ireland - where you live will have a major impact on the quality and quantity of services available.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Travel.
What is your most unhealthy habit?
I have loads of them, but overusing the mobile phone would be one of the worst of them.
How do you relax?
Painting.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Anyone who would like to be a donor to our new hydrotherapy pool.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Relaxing with family and friends over a glass of wine.
What trait do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would love to have the ability to make my teenage children believe that I know best.
Do you use alternative/ complementary medicines or therapies?
No.
What is your earliest memory?
I remember being moved from cot into bed.
What is your most treasured possession?
Our dog, Holly.
What other career might you have chosen?
An artist.
What books or films have inspired you?
I really enjoy films by the Coen brothers, and love the book Wild Swans.
• In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell