What they told us is very challenging. – Labour's Joan Burton after her briefing by Department of Finance officials
It is hard to be accurate about the level of adjustment required until we have the Government projections for growth. –Fine Gael's Michael Noonan hedging his bets . . .
John Gormley saw the real figures a few weeks ago and freaked out. – Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar explains the Green leader's enthusiasm for consensus
We're very worried about this. It's close to a tipping point. – The politicians get little comfort from ESRI economist Ide Kearney
I was all dazed. They took turns to hit me . . . Seán, I says, please not in front of me Ma. – Owen Gaffney at the trial of four gardaí accused of entering his home illegally and assaulting him
For me, it's all about winning trophies. – Wayne Rooney explaining why he had lost faith in Manchester United and was leaving the club
I'm disappointed. Very disappointed. I can't believe it . . . We can't understand why he would want to leave. – United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction
Coleen forgave you. We won't. – Banner held aloft by fans in United's grounds at Old Trafford
I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. . . this is where I belong. – Rooney statement yesterday after signing a new five-year contract to stay put
It was just a negotiation to get a better deal.– Celebrity PR guru Max Clifford explains it all
Anna Chapman has done more to excite Russian patriotism than the Russian soccer team.– Lads mag Maxim, whose next Russian edition has photos of the spy (expelled from US in July) striking James Bond poses in lingerie
We will not take Britain back to the brink of bankruptcy. – UK chancellor George Osborne announcing public spending cuts of some €90 billion and 490,000 public sector job cuts
. . . deficit deceivers who have peddled a series of myths to the British public. – Labour's Alan Johnson is having none of it