What we are talking about now is not a crisis in the peace process as much as a crisis in the political process, and that qualitative difference is a very important step forward.

- Mr John Bruton, Fine Gael leader

Last year when things were going very well, everybody took off in an acrimonious state on December 12th, and straight away the political vacuum during the pre-Christmas period led to a very difficult situation . . . Political vacuums are not a good idea.

- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern