Mattie McGrath, Independent TD, Tipperary South/West Waterford
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
No. The hours I work are not conducive to good health. There’s little time for exercise and stress levels can be high.
How often do you exercise?
I’d have the best of intentions, especially with Lent. Walks are impossible at home. Being a politician, I meet someone and you chat, so walking is quite difficult unless you go into a park or up a mountain. I joined the gym in the Dáil in November, but I’ve only got to use it three times. It’s very difficult to slot in a time to go.
Do you get your five a day?
I’m a diabetic so I try. I find I can manage my diet better in the Oireachtas because there is food available all day. But when I’m out, it might be finger food, a snack or eating late at night. I have a fair amount of vegetables at home; my wife is a very good cook.
Do you worry?
I do. I’ve eight kids from 26 down to nine. I thought when they got to 11, the worries would be over, but it’s from that age that you worry more – about school, or college or if they are out at night. With the downturn in the economy, some people calling to my clinic are at their wits’ end and you’re afraid you’ll say the wrong thing to them.
What do you do to relax?
I walk through the hills or the fields. My children are involved in sport, so it’s relaxing to go see them play, but then a tight game isn’t that relaxing. Or I love to go to an Irish night and dance a Siege of Ennis or a set – I’m an All Ireland set dancing champion fadó fadó. Culture and heritage, I love that.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
It’s sweet things. I might call into a constituent’s house and immediately the kettle is put on and the best biscuits in the house are taken out, or sweet cake. That’s the tradition in the country and I’d never refuse. Or if I’m out for a night, maybe having too many pints, which isn’t good for the diabetes.
In conversation with Joanne Hunt
