This was a democratic revolution at the ballot box. The message is for stable and strong government. The chasm opened between people and government has to be rebuilt.
– Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny’s formal response to the election outcome.
Howarya Mickey Ring, me aul’ segocia!
– His slightly less formal greeting to Mayo running mate Michael Ring.
The tide went out for us in this election.
– Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on what he termed “the worst result the party has experienced since its foundation”.
When I heard the [RTÉ exit] poll this morning, I felt a chill in my heart.
– Brian Lenihan goes into mourning for Fianna Fáil.
Fianna Fáil will recover, we will rebuild.
– Taoiseach and former TD Brian Cowen strikes an optimistic note.
The issue of bondholders – senior debt in the banks – is not on the cards nor on the agenda concerning Ireland . . . the [election] campaign is over and we are moving on to another phase now . . .
– EU economics commissioner Olli Rehn with little encouraging news for Enda and Eamon.
We are in a posture of strong vigilance.
– European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet on how the bank sees inflation and interest rates.
I have a feeling my career has just peaked.
– Colin Firth on receiving the Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of King George VI in the filmThe King's Speech .
I love Adolf Hitler.
Comment that sealed the fate of Christian Dior designer John Galliano who was fired.
It doesn’t get any better.
– Ireland cricketer Kevin O’Brien whose record-breaking century helped his team to a historic Cricket World Cup win over England in Bangalore, India.
It is easy to kill anybody here.
– Tripoli resident on the brutality of Col Muammar Gadafy’s forces in Libya’s capital city.