This week they said

The new Government is making good headway... and had devised a strategy based on the stress tests

The new Government is making good headway . . . and had devised a strategy based on the stress tests. Ajai Chopra of the IMF gives Michael Noonan et al the thumbs-up

Today we witnessed a remarkable transformation in Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin. Two of the most vocal critics of the deal when it was announced now talk about their satisfaction with its progress. Brian Lenihan

Overexposure to any sector should not be taken lightly, as was seen when construction in Ireland accounted for 15 per cent of GDP at the height of the boom. Boom-time leader Bertie Ahern shares his wisdom with the government of Nigeria

The ultimate source of happiness, peace of mind, cannot be bought by money. Billionaires . . . are very unhappy people. Very powerful but deep inside, too much anxiety, too much stress. Wisdom from the Dalai Lama

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I'm very disappointed and I am sure I will be for a few days . . . hopefully it will build a little bit of character in me. Rory McIlroy on the collapse of his form at the 10th hole in the final round of the US Masters, having led in the first two rounds

If debtors are unrealistic or unco-operative in their dealings with Nama, we won't hesitate to appoint receivers to protect the taxpayer's interests. Nama runs out of patience with Derek Quinlan

Okay, but you can forget your career in television. Emilio Fede, director of news at the Silvio Berlusconi-owned Rete 4 TV channel, to Ambra Battilana when she expressed reluctance to "bunga bunga"