You must remember we are trying to run a business as well as waste our time here, er, co-operate with the tribunal.
- The builder Michael Bailey in evidence to the Flood tribunal before its adjournment
They wanted heavy stuff . . . They didn't tell me what they were up to. Don't get me wrong. I'm not stupid. They had Irish brogues, but I didn't think it had international implications until the end.
- US gun dealer Edward Bluestein, of Siobhan Browne and Anthony Smyth, two of four Irish people accused of smuggling weapons from the United States to Ireland
We cannot march him at gunpoint back into our studios, but we are looking at the position.
- A BBC official of Des Lynam, who has moved to ITV
This is quite a monumental day for me. I've been with the BBC for 30 years and . . . I needed a change, a breath of fresh air . . . I was beginning to get a little stale. I hope it didn't show too much.
- Des Lynam
I've been in the Liffey so often there and still haven't caught a salmon.
- Des Smyth, on his trouble at the sixth and seventh holes last Saturday in the European Open at the K Club
Charles's cold and callous murder has thrown us back into the bitter and painful memories of a black yesteryear.
- Father Patrick Devlin, at the funeral of Charles Bennett (22), who was shot dead, reputedly by the Provisional IRA
We are beginning to see certain elements of the Provos looking like they are drifting away from their commitment to the Good Friday agreement. I think we are beginning to see things fraying at the edges.
- PUP Assembly member David Ervine
It may be quite possible that the judge will have available to him evidence and information from people who would not be prepared to give that evidence in a "circus" situation in public.
- Former Tanaiste and Victims' Commission chairman, John Wilson, of his preference for a private inquiry into the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings
Look at him when he is on the stage, he moves from concession to concession, like a striptease artiste, except that the artiste becomes more beautiful with every layer she removes, while Arafat becomes uglier and uglier.
- Syrian Defence minister, Mustafa Tlass, of Yasser Arafat, whom he accuses of failing to maintain Palestinian rights over Jerusalem
I don't believe in denying things. I believe in working through it. Is he ashamed? Yes. Is he sorry? Yes. But does this negate everything he has done as a husband, a father, a president? There has been enormous pain, enormousanger, but I have been with him half my life and he is a very, very good man.
- Hillary Clinton, of her husband
While we can be absolutely sure that Jesus lived and that he was certainly crucified on the cross, we cannot with the same certainty say that we know he was raised by God from the dead.
- The Archbishop of Canter- bury, Dr George Carey
I told the Prime Minister that I am shocked beyond words and I should not remain in office.
- Nitish Kumar on resigning as India's railway minister
Obviously we shall have to address some of the misconceptions the Russians have about NATO . . . to ensure that they understand that Kosovo was not some sort of a marching station towards Russia.
- NATO's new secretary-general, George Robertson