If we get a damp squib today then in all probability August will be bloody and September could see a political disaster.- David Trimble speaking in advance of a statement from the British government on the future of the Northern Assembly
Those who cling to the violent ways of the past cannot be allowed to derail Northern Ireland's progress towards a more peaceful future.
- George Bush on the violence in Northern Ireland
Anything that falls short of an effective exclusion mechanism is not worth the paper it's written on. . . .Republicans must be held to account for what they have done, never mind what they might do in the future.
- Jeffrey Donaldson MP
There are going to be more sore hearts. I'm sure of that, as a result of injuries and perhaps further deaths. But in the end evil will be the loser.
- Father Dan White at the funeral of murdered Catholic man Gerard Lawlor
To all people of influence I would ask them to get everybody together and get this problem sorted out, because when a 12-year-old on one street in Belfast throws a stone someone on the other side of Belfast ends up being killed.
- Dr John Reid, Northern Secretary, following the murder of Mr Lawlor
The reality is that Catholics are being killed in Belfast. There is a planned, organised campaign by loyalists against Catholics.
The unionists' response is to seek the exclusion of Sinn Féin from our rightful place on the Executive. It is disgraceful; it is totally unacceptable.
- Gerry Adams accusing the British of pandering to unionists
Israel cannot expect to be regarded as a full member of the family of democratic nations when it engages in outrages such as the Gaza attack.
- Michael D Higgins, Labour spokesman for foreign affairs, after Monday's missile attack by Israel on Gaza
A missile attack on an apartment building after midnight, when children and adults are asleep in their beds, is no more justifiable than a suicide bombing.
- Dr Noreen O'Carroll, press officer at the Israeli embassy in Dublin
First of all, there's been no cuts. There has been a moderation in the increases.
- The Taoiseach's reply when asked about cutbacks
It livened things up during the match because it had become a bit dull. . . . I have become a bit of a folk hero down here.
- Ronald O'Regan (22), who stripped and ran half-way up the pitch during a hurling match between Castletownroche and Kildorrery in north Cork
They are all building their bungalows, driving Mondeos and getting engaged and here I am, at 22, still asking my mother for money.
- A 22-year-old UCC student who looks with envy at classmates who chose jobs or vocational training over third-level education
The markets are broken and people are talking about capitulation. . . . The buyers have taken a walk.
- Michael Murphy, equity trader, on the world stock market slump
I'm probably ruthless and I'm probably violent.
Nicholas van Hoogstraten, who received a life sentence this week in Britain for ordering the killing of a business associate