This Week They Said

Where it has been tried it was an abject failure, ultimately resulting in the State buying back the terminal at an exorbitant…

Where it has been tried it was an abject failure, ultimately resulting in the State buying back the terminal at an exorbitant cost.

- Minister for Transport Martin Cullen opposing an independent terminal at Dublin airport

We cannot know how many claims will come in, for what periods, for what amounts and all other relevant data until the scheme is in place.

- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, says the bill for illegal nursing home charges could be as high as €1 billion.

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Never again will there be a return to the days of terrorists in government and never again will unionists be subject to the humiliation of push-over unionism.

- DUP leader Ian Paisley

I play my game. I play hardball.

- Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary (72) says he has no intention of retiring.

The troubled Vietnam veteran is kind of a cliche. I think that soon you're going to see the troubled Iraq veteran as a cliche.

- The American director David Ayer says the trend for war-on-terror films is running out of steam

(There are) probably more members dying than joining Fianna Fáil.

- A report into the state of Fianna Fáil by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen warns of declining membership

Working a few years more can make a real difference to income in retirement.

- Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan says the public may be encouraged to work past 65 to avoid poverty in old age

There hasn't been a precedent but you have to start somewhere.

- Josep Borrell, President of the European Parliament, on requesting EU funds to help the McCartney sisters

Nothing happened - I mean, we played video games.

- Macauley Culkin (right) describes his childhood sleep-overs with Michael Jackson.

A shiver went down my spine.

- Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill, says he was initially apprehensive at the appointment of Pope Benedict XVI

They said they were long-term investors but now they have taken the 30 pieces of silver offered by Malcolm Glazer.

- Oliver Houston, vice-chairman of the Manchester United lobby group, Supporters United, after Irish millionaires JP McManus and John Magnier controversially sell their stake in their club.

Star Wars ate the heart and soul of Hollywood

- Film director Paul Schrader claims the $3.5 billion George Lucas franchise helped to destroy the American film industry.

A phenomenon of men negotiating with boys.

- Labour leader Pat Rabbitte says that in the past the National Roads Authority has not been properlyequipped to haggle with large construction companies.