'I made a few thousand selling Eircom shares'

He began his broadcasting career in 1985 with the then pirate radio station Q102.

He has worked on Millennium Radio, the short-term local radio station set up by RTE in Dublin's GPO arcade in 1988, and he was also the early-morning newsreader on RTE2's Ian Dempsey Show for many years.

What's the most important lesson about money which your career in broadcasting has taught you?

Earning enough money to live on was not easy in the beginning. I was broadcasting, writing film reviews and compiling information for the Irish section of the Mipcom catalogue in Cannes to earn a crust. (Mipcom is a festival where media companies meet and sell movies, TV programmes and online content). It was good fun though.

What's the best advice you ever got about money?

I'm not sure about advice. The best decision I ever made was to buy my house and now be mortgage-free.

What's the most expensive country you ever visited?

France in general is not that expensive, but if you go over to the Cote d'Azur during the Cannes Film Festival, all the prices are hiked up. I have worked at and visited the festival for more than 20 years. Luckily, lots of the meals and parties were paid for by film companies.

Do you use money-saving or money management apps?

Nothing clever. I used an online stocks and shares service for a while and made a small amount of money. Otherwise, I use phone and online banking like everyone else.

What's the most expensive meal you've ever cooked?

Beluga caviar with blinis, Lobster thermidor and a big plate of great Irish cheese with lots of great wine.

What's your favourite note?

The old 10 shilling note. My grandfather used to give me one when he came to visit. When I was very young, I thought it was so grown up to have a banknote. Especially back then, when that old orange note was probably the size of my head.

Apart from property, what's the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

My car. It's second-hand, but still cost me a big chunk of change that I elected to pay out all in the one go.

What was your worst job?

I worked as a bar boy in a pub near my parents home in Rathfarnham. I was there for a week before the manager told me my shirt was the wrong shade of blue and refused to pay me.

What was your biggest financial mistake?

Happily, I haven't made any major financial mistakes.

What was your best financial killing?

Selling off the Telecom Eireann shares when they were at their full value. I made a few thousand.

If you won the Lottery, what would you do with the money?

If it was a big win, say €20m, I'd keep €3m and give the rest to family, friends and charity.

What was the last thing you bought online?

A perspex canopy to go over the sliding doors into my garden. A bit boring, I know!

Would you buy property now?

No. No need to and too much hassle.

Do you ever haggle?

I do. I bought a new suit recently and managed to get a shirt and tie thrown in.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt?

My car, my wifi connection and good food. Good food ingredients are not necessarily expensive - a cheaper cut of beef, for example, will just take a little longer to cook.