Selected quotes from some of the day's exchanges in the Dáil.
Candidature is confined to those who have gone through the hoops of the political establishment. That was quite common in the Stalinist era in Eastern Europe, but it is hardly appropriate.
- Mr Joe Higgins, Socialist Party, on the current rules for candidates for the presidency
I may as well be bluntly honest, I do not agree with that at all. I cannot see the point in having a large number of people on an ego trip to find out how few votes they can get.
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- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern
It is more serious than that.
- Mr Finian McGrath, Independent
I am deadly serious.
- Mr Ahern