Quotes of the week
The behaviour is just egregious and reprehensible . . . Throughout this episode, the conduct of Bank of America, through its top management, was motivated by self-interest, greed, hubris, and a palpable sense that the normal rules of fair play did not apply to them . . . Management thought of itself as too big to play by the rules and, just as disturbingly, too big to tell the truth. – New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo announcing fraud charges against Bank of America's former chief executive Kenneth Lewis and former chief financial officer Joe Price for allegedly misleading shareholders on December 5th, 2009, 62 days ago, about acquiring Merrill Lynch.
This text is an affirmation of our shared belief in the importance of working together in a spirit of partnership to deliver success for the entire community. – First sentence of the agreement between the DUP and Sinn Féin.
This is the last chapter of a long and troubled story and the beginning of a new chapter after decades of violence, years of talks, weeks of stalemate. – Gordon Brown.
That better future must be built on mutual respect for people of different traditions, equality and tolerance and respect for each other's political aspirations and cultural expressions and inheritance. – Brian Cowen.
This is a sound deal and one that I can recommend. – DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson.
We are dealing with centuries-old difficulties here. If we are to succeed as a government, we have to show people at grassroots level that we can work together. – Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
The DUP MLAs who buckled not only let themselves down but, more importantly, let their country down. – Jim Allister, leader of the rejectionist Traditional Unionist Voice