I wish Minister Dempsey well and I hope his health will improve but his fig leaf is getting bigger and bigger because he has so many things to cover with it.

- Mrs Nora Owen (Fine Gael) on passing the Waste Management Bill without full debate

When the House resumes in October, this Government will be the longest-serving government since the second World War, and the most successful.

- The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue

It certainly feels like the longest . . . Anyone who looks at the health services would think there are almost as many casualties.

- Mr Michael Noonan, Fine Gael leader