It's the mindless act of people who have rejected all attempts to bring peace to these islands, and who have no alternative to offer except misery and grief.
- The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, of the car-bomb attack on the BBC Television Centre in London, blamed on the "Real IRA"
They are a micro group. They have a wreckers' charter. They are anti-peace process and they are trying to wreck the whole idea of moving out of conflict and sorting out the situation.
- Sinn Fein Assembly member, Mr Gerry Kelly, on the dissident republican group
I'm nearly gone up the walls over the whole thing. If I could turn back the clock, I'd literally get a machinegun and shoot the sheep here on the ground in England.
- Mr John Walsh, the farmer who smuggled sheep linked to foot-and-mouth into Ireland
Every way we turn, everything we do - it's all bad luck.
- British farmer Oliver Edwards, on the hardship faced by his profession
You've got your f . . . ing ethics and I've got a business to run. I want it done that way.
- Mr Ben Dunne's reported response to accountant Mr Michael Irwin after he expressed concern about expenditure on Mr Dunne's home being recorded as work on a new Dunne's Stores factory
Activities of the kind referred to by Councillor [Martin] Ferris [Sinn Fein candidate, North Kerry] - which amount to nothing less than blatant intimidation - are not only objectionable in principle, but actually disrupt the work of the Garda Siochana.
- The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, on Sinn Fein claims that its members in north Kerry were investigating burglaries and returning stolen goods to their owners
We would not see ourselves in the constitutional mode of politics.
- Councillor Martin Ferris
I have found it very difficult coming to terms with what I experienced then. But I want to make a statement now so that I can lay to rest memories that I have.
- Mr Hugh Barbour (45), who as a 16-year-old watched civilians suffer appalling injuries and die on Bloody Sunday, addressing the inquiry
I can tell you he had never done any favour to us and he should be back in government.
- Gopichand Hinduja, of Peter Mandelson
Let me take you on a journey to a foreign land - to Britain after a second term of Tony Blair.
- Mr William Hague, Conservative leader
If our Palestinian neighbours choose the path to peace, they will find in me and the government I head a genuine partner.
- Mr Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Minister
The people of America have been overcharged. And on their behalf, I'm here asking for a refund.
- President George W. Bush, outlining his tax-cut plan before Congress
Seattle is shaken, not stirred.
- City historian Walt Crowley, of the city's relatively calm response to the earth quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale
He is the man. But people will give him one election. Pressure will come on him if he doesn't succeed.
- Fine Gael conference delegate, Mr Frank Butler, talking about Mr Michael Noonan
It's simple networking - no more, no less.
- Mr Ray Burke, in evidence to the Flood tribunal, defending his decision to recommend two constituents and a Fianna Fail supporter for positions with the IRTC
The issue should not be characterised to suggest a shift in Government policy. We had a position to put, we made our position clear and now we move on.
- Mr Brian Cowen, on last month's Budget row with the EU Commission
It's in the bag, Tony - you might was well call the election now . . . Tony Blair should clear the decks and call the election. He should do so quickly. For it is now crystal clear, after Gordon Brown's budget, that the election is in the bag. And furthermore the Sun says '`Blair gets our support for a second term"
- The Sun newspaper on the British budget
Truly, we cannot endorse a Hague-Portillo team up against Blair-Brown. Who could?
- The same newspaper writes off the Conservatives' chances