Some day, perhaps, Hugh O'Flaherty in his own time might tell everybody the story.
- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, referring to Mr O'Flaherty's role in the Sheedy case
It just seemed to make sense that something should be done about it. The man had got four years' imprisonment. He'd been promised a review after two. The review disappeared . . . So it seems a matter of simple justice that something should have been done.
- Mr O'Flaherty, talking about the case
Deputy, there are members in your party around and about you and sitting in the front row to your right who were given a second chance and some of them should recall that very well.
- The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, in an apparent reference to Mr Emmet Stagg, during Opposition questioning on the O'Flaherty appointment
I am sorry to say this, but the Minister is very sick.
- Mr Louis Belton, Fine Gael, criticising Mr McCreevy for his remark
I do believe that the manner in which we have treated some people in the past has been less than Christian, and for this I ask for your forgiveness.
- The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr William Walsh, in an apology for the Catholic Church's attitude to relationships outside marriage
The only constant in life is change - so you expect it.
- The trade unionist Matt Merrigan, who has died, in a recent interview
The normal cultural prescription in Irish family law courts is that the woman gets the home and the children, the father gets the bills and the bedsit.
- The chairman of Non-Disposable Daddies Ireland, Mr Sean Kelly
I believe those commitments will be fulfilled.
- The Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, in an attempt to assuage pro-agreement unionists' concerns that the IRA might not decommission
There has not been an honest election in this country since 1980. I don't think this one will be any different.
- Former Rhodesian prime minister, Ian Smith, on the election in Zimbabwe