This week they said

The Government today agreed to request financial support from the European Union and the euro area member states

The Government today agreed to request financial support from the European Union and the euro area member states. The IMF will also be requested to assist in the provision of support.– Government statement, Sunday, November 21st, confirming that Ireland could no longer function without external assistance.

We live in the Republic of IMF now. – Unnamed father to his children as they walked past Government Buildings.

If ever in the future there is a vacancy, and that could be a long way down the road, if members of the parliamentary party wanted me to throw my hat into the ring then I would.– Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin throws her hat into the ring to succeed Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen.

You can be shit with money but you can have the craic. You have to choose between being Swiss and being Irish. – British restaurant critic AA Gill's analysis of the crisis.

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Every day that is lost increases uncertainty and increases the economic and social cost. So please, let's adopt the budget, let's get it out of the way and let's move on.– EU economic affairs commissioner Olli Rehn.

The Government's four-year plan is an open declaration of war on working people, the unemployed and youth.– Socialist Party MEP Joe Higgins.