How the issue evolved, as told through quotes over the past nine years.
"We want the elderly to be able to live out their retirement in dignity and security without having to worry about the State confiscating their savings." - Mary Harney in November 1996 when the PDs were in Opposition
"I know this seems controversial, but is it fair that people require the State to pick up the bill, and then they get the benefits when people die? . . . I genuinely believe we need to do more to encourage families to care for their loved ones." - Mary Harney, January 16th, 2004
"Any monies taken were taken in good faith. The Attorney General is simply saying that if we are going to take a contribution towards board and lodgings from people in public institutions then, in order to be safe and secure, we should introduce primary legislation. That is what we intend to do." - Mary Harney on December 8th, 2004
"I have arranged today to write to the health boards and ask them to stop charging people in public institutions or in contract beds forthwith. The Attorney General's advice indicates that issues may arise since the health boards became aware that this was not legally safe." - Mary Harney on December 9th, 2004
"It's been accepted policy and practice, no one said anything about it for 50 years and I'm not going to take the crap for what went on for 50 years . . ." - Micheál Martin on December 16th, 2004
"Notwithstanding the fact that the policy had consistent support and that people did actually receive a benefit for their payment, the Government believes that some repayment should be made because a mistake was made. It is clearly beyond our financial and administrative ability to repay all charges since 1976." - Mary Harney on December 16th, 2004, referring to the Government's decision to make payments of €2,000 each to about 20,000 people in publicly funded residential care, who had 75 per cent of their pensions or other allowances deducted.
"The reality is that older people were being charged without a legal basis. In an ideal world we shouldn't be charging them for nursing home care. I do feel uneasy about the practice." - Séamus Brennan, right, on December 30th, 2004
"The Constitution in protecting property rights does not encompass only property rights which are of great or even immense value. It protects such rights even when they are of modest value and in particular, as in this case, where the persons are among the most vulnerable in society." - yesterday's Supreme Court ruling
"Clearly we have to pay substantial compensation. It's going to take time to put in place a mechanism to pay that money back. We certainly will pay it back." - Mary Harney yesterday.