Politicians and their New Year resolutions

Theresa Judge asks five health ministerial spokespeople about their New Year resolutions

Theresa Judgeasks five health ministerial spokespeople about their New Year resolutions

John Gormley - Green Party:

I cycle everywhere - it helps keep me sane, it's great to be able to get out on the bike in the morning and it's also a fast way of getting around.

The one thing I want to do more in the New Year is to get more swims in. I swim regularly during the summer at the forty foot but I want to go every Sunday to the pool with the kids - they're aged nine and seven.

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It is very hard to find time in this job but I really think it's important to keep Sundays free and I try to stick rigorously to that. Sometimes a radio station will call you and ask you to come in on a Sunday morning and sometimes you succumb, but I really want to stick rigorously to that in the New Year.

And I also want to make a point of getting to bed every night at a reasonable hour.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin - Sinn Féin:

I'm looking forward to the election canvassing because it always helps me to lose those surplus pounds and my resolution is to try to keep up the walking after the election. I don't exercise as much as I should. I used to play racket sports when I was younger but such is the nature of the work we do, I haven't been able to maintain it. The demands can be incredible at times, trying to cope with all the various roles and responsibilities especially when you're in a small party.

We should all be concerned about our health and especially when you cross a certain point in life you do really need to give it more thought. I am more conscious now about getting regular check-ups.

Tim O'Malley - Minister of State at the Department of Health

I don't really have any New Year resolutions. I am pretty fit and healthy so I'd just like to stay as I am.

I go to a gym regularly and use a treadmill, I've been doing that for years. I like playing golf but in my present job I have no time for golf except in August - that's one of the regrets I have about the job.

But I go for long walks along the banks of the Shannon at Castletroy near where I live in Limerick.

It's even hard to keep Sundays free - there's generally a lot of reading to do, of reports and briefings. I know one shouldn't do it but it's often the best time to get reading done.

One resolution I would encourage everyone to make is to go for annual health check-ups - I've been doing it for years and I find it very useful because you don't have the worry about something unexpected happening.

A lot of men in particular worry about their health and do nothing about it and the worry can often make problems worse.

Liz McManus - Labour Party

I suppose the resolution would be to work smarter, not harder, to try to do it more efficiently. In this job there is always more work to be done. It is very varied and I enjoy it immensely but it is really important to get out and get a break as well.

I've recently started walking in the Wicklow mountains every Sunday so I'm out in rain, hail or shine. It's quite strenuous and I'm not a great walker, but when you're with a group it keeps you going longer and it's more fun.

In the summer I go walking on the prom every morning but in winter I haven't been going out - that would be a New Year resolution, to try to get back walking on the prom again - it is good for the soul as much as for the body.

Liam Twomey - Fine Gael

I know I'll be getting more exercise in the New Year as I will be knocking on doors from early January. Generally I always try to go for a good walk every evening, even when I'm in Dublin - it's good to clear the head.

At weekends, with three children aged under six they're always active and want you to be involved in everything they're doing, so that keeps me active.

I'm looking forward to canvassing, you walk a lot for up to two or three hours and I find it therapeutic. Normally you're sitting at the end of a phone so it's enjoyable to be out going from door to door - you just have the one thing to focus on.

The other resolution would be to try to give up alcohol. I had to try a few times before I finally managed to give up cigarettes over a decade ago but you have to get more realistic about your life and health as you get older.