This week's quotes.
The investigation was . . . prejudiced, tendentious and utterly negligent in the highest degree. - Mr Justice Frederick Morris, in his report on the Garda investigation into the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron
There has been cover-up after cover-up of what happened following the death of Richie Barron, which goes right to the top. - Frank McBrearty jnr, one of the men gardaí in Donegal attempted to frame for the death of Mr Barron
It's true to say these events are fairly seismic, and we have to take stock as time moves on. - Dermot Ahern, Minister for Foreign Affairs, appears to cast doubt on whether Ireland will proceed with a referendum on the new EU constitution, which was rejected by French and Dutch voters
No excuse can be offered or should be by way of trying to defend what happened. There is no defence for it. - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, after cases of patient neglect are exposed at Leas Cross nursing home, Swords, Co Dublin
If a set of events were set in train for a process that was never possibly going to be allowed to be achieved . . . then I have to assume that the whole trail of events I dealt with . . . were actually a set-up. - Prof Brendan Drumm declines to take the role as chief executive of the Health Service Executive after the breakdown of negotiations over his contract
He works too hard. All members of the family know it, and that is why those who want to communicate [ with him] wait for his arrival at the table with a cup of the evening yoghurt. - Lyudmila Putin, wife of the Russian President, on how to get a word with her husband
I feel like quoting Margaret Thatcher, "Where there is conflict let there be harmony". - A spokesman for Fine Gael, which is close to agreeing an election pact with Labour
We are always hopeful, but until there are charges, we are being cautious. People have been arrested before and have walked out. - Catherine McCartney, sister of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney, after two men are arrested in connection with his killing
Bob Woodward's gonna get all the glory for this, but we could make at least enough money to pay some bills, like the debt I've run up for the kids' education. Let's do it for the family. - The daughter of Mark Felt, the Watergate source "Deep Throat", on how she persuaded her father to reveal his identity
It's a catastrophe. People will come out on the streets to show their anger. It's a man who has never been elected, who doesn't represent the people at all. This will turn out badly. - Philippe Moreau Defarges, a researcher at the French Institute for International Relations, on the appointment by President Chirac of Dominique de Villepin, the interior minister, as the new French prime minister
I don't have any talent. I think I'm a nice guy and I'm pretty bright, but no one would pick me out of a crowd and say, "That guy's going to be a big star". I'm not some hunk; I look like an insurance salesman. - TV host Jerry Springer says he is surprised by success
This is outrageous and deeply smug. They are saying, "Don't neglect Africa", but that's just what they are doing here. - DJ Andy Kershaw joins criticism of Bob Geldof's Live-8 concerts, which will feature just one African performer
Not one normal sane person would understand what has been read out here. - Platon Lebedev, a business associate of the former Yukos oil company chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky, after both were sentenced to nine years in prison for tax evasion and fraud