A selection of this week's quotes from around the world:
He mixed wit with economics.
- A Fianna Fáil back-bench TD after the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, moves to reassures deputies over Government cutbacks.
As President George Bush said: "When I was young and irresponsible, I was young and irresponsible."
- The solicitor defending two students caught in flagrante in Croke Park.
If I was under 24 I wouldn't want the decision on the treaty of Nice to be made by a man or woman who is over 55.
- Referendum Commission chairman, Mr Justice Tom Finlay, on a survey revealing only 28 per cent of under-24s intend to vote in the Nice referendum.
If the United Nations Security Council won't deal with the problem, the United States and some of its friends will.
- President Bush hardens his position on Iraq.
If the Americans invade, there will be a complete breakdown of law and a lot of killings. Everyone has guns here and a lot of scores to settle.
- Baghdad shopkeeper Mohammed Tayyab Hussein.
A person who carried out such terrible acts against the Jewish people and against humanity should spend the rest of his days in jail.
- Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Melchior after a French court orders the release of 92-year-old Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon on health grounds.
There is no doubt we could have sacked him but I'm pleased we haven't.
- Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan after Ireland defender Richard Dunne turns up for training in a "dishevelled" state.
What matters is the ability to pay, not the ability to learn.
- Union of Students in Ireland president Colm Jordan as the The Irish Times reports that private fee paying schools send more students to college than other schools.
At least some of the problems of the Irish Catholic Church today derive from an undue deference expected by it, and paid to it, by politicians in the first three to four decades of the State's existence.
- Former Taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald.
We came to the conclusion that an IRA gunman probably had fired first after hearing one soldier fire warning shots to ward off a hostile crowd.
- British documentary maker Tony Stark at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
Rather than bombing civilians in various Muslim countries, the United States and Britain should begin to take a more intelligent approach to the international drugs trade, namely to legalise it.
- Former Northern Secretary of State Mo Mowlam.
We don't mind couples having a good time, but this is not something we would encourage because of air regulations.
- A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic, which says amorous couples are taking advantage of its on-board baby changing facilities.
The Ryder Cup is supposed to be a pretty big event, but you're spending most of the night going to functions until midnight.
- Golfer Tiger Woods, taking part in the American Express World Championship at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny.
VRT is a con trick
- AA spokesman Conor Faughnan after the European Court of Justice questions the legitimacy of Vehicle Registration Tax.
Four controllers at Shannon . . . failed to notice the flashing signal.
- A Department of Transport air accident investigator on a near collision between two passenger jets off the south coast.
Some do it because they've seen something on a celebrity and want it and then realise they can't afford it.
- Researcher Tamira King of London's Brunel university, on shopping bulimia, a mental disorder characterised as an addiction to buying and returning expensive items.
Roy Ken (sic) is one of the great players. A fantastic player.
- Soccer legend Pele in an interview with The Irish Times to promote his endorsement of Viagra.