This Week They Said

I certainly know where I'm going.

I certainly know where I'm going.

- Mr John Bruton, speaking before the confidence vote

It is painfully clear that we are failing to connect with large sections of the electorate and this, we believe, is in large measure due to John Bruton's style of leadership.

- Statement by Mr Jim Mitchell and Mr Michael Noonan

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It is very sad for me. I feel I let somebody down on a personal level, someone I respect. But I feel I made the right decision for the party.

- Cork deputy Mr Simon Coveney, who voted against Mr Bruton

He filled the office of Taoiseach with dignity and distinction.

- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, of Mr Bruton

I wish to state that I fully accept the democratic decision.

- Mr Bruton

For the first time and I hope the last time in my life, the fight suddenly went out of me. I felt isolated. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong but I had no time to prove it.

- The former Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, on events preceding his resignation

I think the duty of every politician is to assist and to help.

- Srichand Hinduja, the businessman at the centre of the British passports affair

It's a stiff fine, and that's no joke.

- Horse trainer Neil Terracciano, after being fined $2,000 and suspended for 60 days by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board because his thoroughbred tested positive for Viagra

It was overconfidence on my part, I am completely to blame.

- Tarquino Arevalo, captain of the oil tanker that ran aground near the Galapagos Islands, causing substantial damage to the unique environment

The quantum of our need is much more than what we have.

- Indian Home Minister speaking in the aftermath of last Friday's earthquake

I fully accept that it was unsatisfactory and I take this opportunity to apologise to the chairman for the exchanges that occurred and which were unhelpful to him in the difficult task he has to perform.

- Liam Lawlor TD, on his contribution to the Flood tribunal

The bonds forged in the aftermath of the disaster continue to this day.

- William Rae, Dunfries and Galloway Chief Constable, on the Lockerbie disaster. Libyan intelligence officer Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday for the 1988 bombing

We must not forget the victims of the 1986 massacre. What do courts have to say about these victims? What do the United Nations and America have to say about them? Are these victims human beings or cattle?

- The Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gadafy, talking about the Libyan victims of the 1986 bombings by US warplanes of Tripoli and Benghazi

I am just an ego covered in skin.

- TV personality Jeremy Clarkson

I am aware that my opponents will not rest until they sink me.

- Reported comment of Chile's former dictator, Gen Augusto Pinochet, after he was served with an arrest order on murder and kidnapping charges

Our hides are like rhinoceroses because we have been hammered until we are tanned and we can resist.

- The Rev Ian Paisley, DUP, on the issue of the new Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, being a tough customer