Four well-known Irish people reveal their resolutions for 2006
Ryan Tubridy, RTÉ broadcaster:
RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy doesn't usually make new year's resolutions.
"Making them is great fun but then they just get broken." However, this year he has decided to make two - one vague and one quite purposeful. First up is saying "no" more often. "I have this vague intention of saying no more this year. My inclination is to say yes to pretty much everything, but things suffer and I spread myself a little bit thin and I'm thin enough as it is," he says.
After a pretty hectic 2005, the plan for 2006, according to Ryan, will involve doing less in terms of extra curricular activities and "upping the game" in terms of work. His other resolution for 2006 is to learn to play the piano.
"I think it is a sin to pass a piano and not be able to play at least two tunes. I love music so much and to me the idea of sitting at a piano and playing a tune is beautiful."
When it comes to miracle medical advances in 2006 Ryan hopes that someone will come up with the ultimate hangover cure.
Gillian Bowler, of Budget Travel:
In 2006 Gillian Bowler is hoping to develop an "addiction to all the right things" like exercise, grilled fish and steamed vegetables.
After a month of late-night functions she is hoping for a 2006 that will involve a lot less late nights and even fewer 6am starts.
"I want to make sure I'll have all the time in the world to walk my dog. All these things are perfectly possible and I plan to do them, but the chances are if you ask me this time next year I won't have done them." Gillian gave up making resolutions because she used to set impossible tasks for herself.
However, she is quite determined this year in her aim to have a healthier lifestyle. This, she says, is "entirely possible".
When it comes to dream medical inventions for 2006 Gillian's dreams are quite dramatic. She hopes that scientists will find a way to undertake an entire body and brain transplant into the body of a 23 or 18 year old, which does not alter one's knowledge of self.
Karl Spain, comedian:
Losing weight and getting back to playing football are among comedian Karl Spain's hopes for the coming year.
Last year, Limerick man Karl was shocked to find he weighed 19 stone 11 pounds and, since then, has lost nearly two stone. In 2006 he is "really going to go for it" to attain his goal of losing four stone.
"My weight would have always fluctuated, but 19 stone and 11 pounds was the biggest I've ever been. It was a bit of a shock."
His new routine involves eating three meals a day with no snacking and he bought a pedometer and walks 10,000 steps a day.
Karl also wants to go back to playing football. Work, living between Dublin and Limerick and new girlfriend Rachel interrupted his regular game with the lads.
His hopes for medical advances in 2006 stem from personal experience: "My mother suffers from Parkinson's disease, 2006 is probably a bit late for her but, for other sufferers, I'd love to see cures for debilitating disease like Parkinson's and MS."
Olwyn Enright, TD for Laois-Offaly:
Keeping up healthy habits she started in 2005 is the order of business for TD Olwyn Enright in 2006.
Olwyn doesn't make resolutions because she believes new year is a bad time for big changes.
"In the new year, people are returning to work and getting back to reality after a few days off. It's not a great time. Waiting until mid-February to start something different, when things are back to normal, would be much better."
Olwyn hopes this year to keep up some of the healthy habits she started in 2005.
"I've started going to the gym more - that has been helped with the opening of a new gym in the Dáil - and I walk a lot." And, if there is an election in 2006, Olwyn says she'll be doing even more walking.
An advance in the cure and treatment of cancer are on Olwyn's medical wish list for 2006. "Like everyone else, a good few people close to me are affected by cancer. I'd love to see a cure for cancer or at least something to make it easier to bear."