The state-of-the-art facility is part of the €10.5m refurbishment of Kildare House. It boasts high-tech equipment, is monitored by part-time instructors at a cost of €27,000 a year, and is situated just across the road from the Dail. Three months after its opening the gym is proving popular with civil servants, but only a handful of TDs and senators have crossed its threshold.
Conscious of the cost of their new perk, TDs and senators have worked out elaborate explanations for their non-attendance. Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael’s transport spokeswoman, admits she has yet to use the new facility: “I walk a lot and I think gyms are great in theory.
I have been to the one in the Dail for an induction visit and I intend going back. One day last year I even brought in my tracksuit and runners, but that’s as far as I got, despite my best intentions.”
Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fail’s Cork North Central TD, said he had a look at the facilities before Christmas but didn’t work out. “I will soon though, because I need to maintain my fine physique,” he quipped.
Tony Gregory, an independent TD, said he didn’t have time to go. John Gormley, of the Green party, also argued he was too busy and pointed out that he cycled to work. Senator Brian Hayes admitted to “hating” exercise machines while a spokeswoman for Noel Dempsey, the communications minister, said he hadn’t gone yet, but had “asked his private secretary to check out the opening times”.
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McDowell’s press officer said “being minister for justice and walking his dog” was all the exercise he needed. Dermot Ahern, the foreign minister, prefers swimming, according to his spokesman. Enda Kenny, the Fine Gael leader, is gearing up for the general election but hasn’t visited the gym because he is “too busy”. In any event, he likes to cycle at weekends.
Labour’s Liz McManus said she exercised “by moving very fast all the time”. She hasn’t managed a visit, but like many others, has the best intentions. “We have terrible lifestyles,” she said. Michael Ring, the Mayo TD, wasn’t so sure: “I don’t need to go to the gym. I get all the exercise I need going around Mayo from house to house,” he said. Asked if he was fit, he offered to take on “any man, my size, weight and height in a 100 metres race”.
Noel Ahern might be up for the challenge but would need to get into training first. “I don’t know anything about the gym. If they built a tennis court, I would dust off my racket, but it’s been about 10 years since I last played,” he said.
Apart from time constraints many TDs and senators argued that the 650 sq ft gym was too small and the opening hours were limited.
Cecilia Keaveney, the Donegal TD, said there was “no excuse” for not using what is an “excellent facility”.
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She has managed to incorporate work-outs into her busy day and said that all public representatives would benefit from doing so. “We can’t be lecturing people on the need to stay healthy without trying to set an example ourselves,” she said.
“As chair of the sports committee, I have to lead the way. You have to make the time. I go during my lunchtime and really love it. It gives me a break, time to think and I come back to work feeling better and ready to work harder,” she said.