It’s a historic day for Fine Gael. It’s the first time we’ve ever outpolled Fianna Fáil in any election.
– Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on Saturday as it became clear FF were getting a hammering.
We knew we would be unpopular on the basis of the decisions we had to make. Brian Lenihan articulated it very well in that people did say they wanted the medicine and when they got the medicine they didn’t like it.
– Tánaiste Mary Coughlan.
The first thing people need is leadership . . . I don’t think the Government is capable of leading. It has lost the people’s trust and is failing to face up to its responsibilities for what has gone wrong.
– George Lee after winning the Dublin South byelection.
Their credibility is in shreds, their conviction is in tatters, the people have lost all faith in them and if Government Green backbenchers or Government Fianna Fáil backbenchers had any courage, they would now stand up and walk.
– Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
A general election is the last thing this country and its economy needs at present . . . the uncertainty that would generate.
– Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.
With the election of four county councillors and three urban councillors, I have seven councillors. I am bigger than the Green Party nationally.
– Michael Lowry on the success of his team in the local elections in Tipperary.
The tide of public opinion is against us at the moment . . . but we have to continue with the work we have set out, that is to fix this recession . . . and to use the mandate we have until 2012 to do so.
– Taoiseach Brian Cowen as the election results rolled in.
It’s just another mid-term blip. How could it be a slap to the Aherns when Bertie won three elections in a row?
– Maurice Ahern, brother of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, after conceding defeat for Fianna Fáil in Dublin Central.
I had the solution to that a long time ago and some people didn’t seem to like it.
– Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, in a reference to e- voting machines, after the counting of about 2,600 votes for seats on Trim Town Council ended just before 3am yesterday.
The results nationally for the party have set us back 20 years.
– Former Green Galway city mayor Niall Ó Brolcháin after losing his seat.
Looks like he’ll be assumed into heaven before noon.
– Former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte on George Lee.
We are not looking at the next election, we are looking at the next generation.
– Brian Lenihan on Fianna Fáil’s priorities.
I don't like it one bit.– Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke on the dominance now of Fine Gael on local authorities.
Macbeth was the play on today's English paper – about being corrupted by power. I think there are too many true and honest people around to let happen to me.– Maureen O'Sullivan after winning Dublin Central and retaining the Independent seat held by the late Tony Gregory.