We seek and search for something to hold on to at this time. It must be our belief and our hope that God does not inflict such tragedies on us. They come unbidden, unwanted from our world.
- Mgr John Crowley, head chaplain of the Defence Forces, at the funeral of Capt Mick Baker, one of four Air Corps crew members killed last Friday
Why close down all the institutions? Why give a veto in effect to paramilitaries? This is not an effective remedy. The remedy should be directed toward the parties that default.
- UUP leader David Trimble on the "failsafe" mechanism in the Stormont proposals
There is no question of the British government introducing legislation to expel Sinn Fein. Mr Blair knows this would be a breach of the Good Friday agreement.
- Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader
We are being asked to admit as ministers representatives of terrorist organisations that remain fully armed and capable of carrying out violence on a massive scale.
- Conservative Party leader William Hague
The rejection by the UUP of the Sinn Fein initiative . . . is yet more evidence that for many unionists the real problem is their refusal to share power with Catholics. To quote one, "they don't want to see a Fenian about the place".
- Gerry Adams
David Trimble is dissatisfied with concessions which hand him the surrender of Provisional IRA weapons. When he refuses concessions of that magnitude and demands more, can anyone seriously suggest that a Stormont administration led by him would be a springboard to equality, justice and a united Ireland?
- Bernadette Sands McKevitt, 32 County Sovereignty Movement
Sinn Fein will not be giving any commitments on decommissioning. If there is to be decommissioning, it will be up to the IRA - and at present they have made it clear, i.e: there will be no decommissioning.
- Excerpt from what the Daily Telegraph says is an internal Sinn Fein document
An absolute nonsense - it's like saying that the Earth is flat.
- UUP chief negotiator Sir Reg Empey of the Taoiseach's statement that Sinn Fein and the IRA were "two separate organisations"
I wrote The Godfather entirely from research. I never met a real honest-to-God gangster.
- Author Mario Puzo, who has died
Whether it's one's city by birth or by adoption, let us all make Dublin a city in which its inhabitants can share a common sense of belonging.
- Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mary Freehill, at the annual meeting of the Irish Refugee Council
I want to state clearly here that I know I did wrong. I am not proud of my activities as a trader with Barings Bank in Singapore. I was foolish and very much regret what happened.
- The rogue trader, Nick Leeson, after his release from a Singapore prison
These circumstances have left Britain's reputation for loyalty and fair dealing in tatters.
- Baroness Thatcher on the arrest of Gen Pinochet
I know not only the pain of my people, but recognise the pain of the Palestinian people.
- Ehud Barak, Prime Minister of Israel
There is no point being subtle about the disease just because the subject matter is literally below the belt.
- Robbie Williams, singer, on the campaign to raise awareness of testicular cancer