A selection of quotes from around the globe.
We cannot allow thugs of any description, whether they be people on the streets or members of the Garda Síochána, to act with impunity.
- Green TD Mr John Gormley on violent clashes between demonstrators and gardaí in Dublin this week.
He was lying on the ground but still being hit repeatedly across the head by a garda with a baton.
- TCD student Ms Claudia Schwartz, from Germany, describes the mêlée.
I am telling the voters of Ireland that this is not over.
- Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan after the latest opinion polls point to a Fianna Fáil majority government.
No one has actually voted yet.
- Fianna Fáil spin doctor Mr P.J. Mara plays down the polls.
You would have to come to the conclusion that some of them have been watching too much of The West Wing.
- An RTÉ reporter on over-zealous Fianna Fáil handlers.
We are nobody's moral mudguard. We are not plaster saints. We are card-carrying members of the human race.
- Minister of State and Progressive Democrat candidate Ms Liz O'Donnell.
Ludicrous.
- Garda Commissioner Mr Pat Byrne responds to claims that gardaí withheld intelligence that could have prevented the Omagh bombing.
We have lost our democratic innocence: nothing will ever be the same again.
- A Dutch newspaper editor after the assassination of right-wing politician Mr Pim Fortuyn.
Most farmers around here know him. His mission was to destroy all our farms.
- Dutch farmer Mr Peter Olofson, former neighbour of Mr Volker van der Graff, arrested for Mr Fortuyn's murder.
Players need to stand up and be counted. I'm not sure that happens a lot at this club. They should be proud to play for United and give 100 per cent.
- Manchester United captain Mr Roy Keane after his team lost the championship to Arsenal.
I have always grieved when I left a parish but I am also grieving for the Church of Ireland because I feel it is missing out.
- Dean of Clonmacnoise, Very Rev Andrew Furlong, resigns over his controversial belief that Christ was not the son of God.
This is an issue which players will go to war on. It's a complete shambles.
- Dublin football manager Tommy Lyons on the Irish Sports Council's drug-testing regulations.
I understand her fans are eager, as we are, but J.K. Rowling writes substantial books, and they are not turned out as small novellas. Her last book was over 740 pages.
- Harry Potter's publisher announcing that the bespectacled magician's latest adventure is unlikely to see the light of day this year.