In the last days of the [1921] Treaty negotiations, the British conceded fiscal autonomy to Ireland . . . I am afraid the Fianna Fáil/Green government gave the purse away again this time last year as fiscal autonomy was conceded to the IMF and the European authorities. – Minister for Finance Michael Noonan in his budget speech
As a Labour Minister, I never expected that I would be making the type of announcements I am making today. – Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin announcing spending cuts in the Dáil on Monday
The Government still has a lot of choices it can make. If the Government wants to, it can choose to be fairer . . . Unfortunately some of the decisions which have already been announced are far from fair. – Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin
The Irish people cannot afford to subsidise rock'n'roll lifestyles for former taoisigh or special advisers when special needs assistants are being cut. – Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams
Pretty much just like any other day in the run-up to Christmas. – Clerys chief executive PJ Timmins acknowledges that December 8th no longer sees huge numbers of shoppers from other areas descend on Dublin
I think the country needed to smile and I hope we made that happen. – Ryan Tubridy, after the Late Late Toy Showbecame the most watched programme on Irish television in 17 years
Dear Santa, if I have been good this year I would like a light pink and white sports bike, size 24. – One of the 140,000 letters An Post is delivering to Santa, indicating the level of detail and degree of thought that goes into submitting requests
In terms of talent, I think Rory has more talent. – World No 1 golfer Luke Donald comparing Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
Winter has really kicked in. November was really autumn; there has been a noticeable change now in December. – Met Éireann forecaster John Eagleton