We face stark choices. If we do not make the right ones, it will have catastrophic consequences.- Taoiseach Brian Cowen as the global economy teeters.
These six institutions do not have any other friend in the EU or on the continent of Europe.- Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan as the Government covers the deposits and debts of six Irish financial institutions.
This is the wrong solution to the wrong problem. It has put the Irish taxpayer at risk of considerable losses, and does nothing to solve the real problem of Irish banks, which is a shortage of capital.- Morgan Kelly, professor of economics in UCD.
One of the most ambitious measures taken by a government since the [credit] crisis began.- The Wall Street Journal's assessment of Mr Lenihan's intervention.
Some say you can't solve a problem by throwing money at it. But that's what the Fed and the Treasury are attempting.- Historian Niall Ferguson on US attempts to stave off recession.
We now represent the safest place to deposit money in Europe.- From an e-mail by Michael Fingleton jnr of Irish Nationwide, seeking new deposits in the UK, sent after the Government's guarantee of the banks.