"In the past, the GAA was instrumental in healing rifts between families and communities in post-Civil War Ireland. I hope this momentous decision will help to heal community rifts in Northern Ireland and encourage members of the unionist community to participate in Gaelic games."
Mr Jimmy Deenihan, a Fine Gael TD and All-Ireland medal holder, on the decision to lift the ban on members of British security forces joining the GAA
"Northern Ireland must not become a cold place for Protestants, or we will have failed."
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid
"It has been anything other than a damp squib."
The chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Mr Dermot Quigley, on the voluntary disclosure scheme for holders of bogus non-resident accounts, which yielded £176 million
"The BTSB was rotten to the core in its policy to perpetuate subterfuge which continued during the course of this tribunal."
Mr Martin Hayden SC, for the Irish Haemophilia Society, attacking the blood board at the Lindsay tribunal.
"I looked at the original transfer form and it had a disclaimer on it saying that Bank of Ireland took no responsibility for any mistakes made during the transfer. And the Bank of Ireland had made a big mistake. So I thought, 'Fine, this money is effectively mine'."
Mr David Hickey from Tallaght, who asked his bank for £1,500 in Spanish pesetas but was mistakenly given £250,000. He intends to keep the money
"I have been ruined, quite frankly, by the untrue, unfounded allegations made last night."
Former minister Mrs Nora Owen of Fine Gael responding to allegations of corruption made against her in the Dβil by Independent TD Mr Tom Gildea
"We told them to put the rifles away and clipped them round the ear."
Journalist Nell McCafferty on how she and several other Bogside women had caught two youths carrying rifles on Bloody Sunday
"I got there soon afterwards and saw parts of bodies. One of them was still alive. I saw him take a breath and die."
A Gaza teenager on the deaths of five Palestinian boys who were killed in an explosion
"Maybe we were better off after all with the Taliban. At least our lives were certain then. There is nothing but uncertainty now."
A local man from Jalalabad in Afghanistan
"If the rich Americans have offered $25 million for Osama we will give $50 million to anyone who can capture Bush for us, in spite of being a poor country."
Taliban security head Mr Mohammad Saeed Haqqani
"Oh my goodness gracious, yes. After what he's done? You bet your life."
The US Defence Secretary, Mr Donald Rumsfeld, who was asked if he would like to see Osama bin Laden killed.
"We were so shocked when the Taliban announced their ban on growing poppies, but now we hope for a good harvest . . . God willing, our troubles will be solved."
Mr Mohammed Khatib, an impoverished Afghan opium farmer
"(Terrorists) now understand that the way to get the world's attention is not strapping bombs to themselves in a pizza parlour, but doing something so horrific it gets you into the Guinness Book of Records for terrorism. That takes years to plan - and it will be nuclear."
Former US ambassador to the UN Mr Richard Holbrooke
"The Irish Times isn't always right, you know."
Mr Ruair∅ Quinn on Morning Ireland reacting to an editorial suggesting that the Opposition was over-reacting to allegations by Donegal TD Mr Tom Gildea