We have ordered the unequivocal restoration of the ceasefire of August 1994. All IRA units have been instructed accordingly. - Part of last Saturday's IRA ceasefire statement
The IRA have said that they will not decommission a single bullet and I have not heard any statement saying they have changed their position. - The Sinn Fein chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness
I could not take part in talks with Sinn Fein with a gun to my head. - The deputy leader of the UUP, John Taylor
We're going in with a republican analysis to get a united, independent Ireland. - Sinn Fein ardchomhairle member, Jim Gibney, on his party's aim going into talks
In short, a sovereign democratic government is prepared to accept that a clandestine criminal conspiracy of national socialist hoods - who have slaughtered and maimed thousands - can keep their murderous instruments and play a full part in legitimate politics. - A Daily Telegraph editorial on Sinn Fein's accession into talks
It is a matter of record that there are perfectly respectable democracies in which there is no Vincent Browne. - Brendan Ryan, in a letter to The Irish Times
I was stunned. - Vittorio Gassman, the Italian classical actor, on learn- ing during rehearsals that Luciano Pavarotti can't read music
On the last green I almost closed my eyes hitting the first putt. I was just praying I could two-putt. Until then I had been surprised by how calm I was. - Justin Leonard, winner of the British Open, on the moment of triumph
Through all my life growing up I have feared that man and today I don't fear him anymore. - A female victim of the priest and paedophile, Brendan Smyth, speaking in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Long ago, I have made my peace with God, and I hope and pray that with the passage of time many of these too will find a like peace. - Smyth, in a statement read to the court, apologising to his victims
The manner in which the payments were made to Mr Haughey in relation to the issue of motive show an absolute desire for no third-party scrutiny. - Counsel for Fine Gael in the Dunnes Payments Tribunal, Kevin Feeney SC
In today's world, to be born female, is to be born high-risk. - The director of UNICEF Ireland, Maura Quinn
I believe there has been a miscarriage of justice in your convictions. I am very sorry indeed that this should have happened. - The British Home Secretary, Jack Straw, apologising to the Birmingham Six
I am not a boot boy, Mr Ryan. I am a journalist and a conscientious journalist. - Eamon Dunphy, under cross-examination by counsel for Proinsias De Rossa, who is taking a libel action over an article in the Sunday Independent
We know she will bring her own unique style, insight and personal commitment to her new position, reaching out to the forgotten ones; to those who live their lives under oppression and duress. - The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on the announcement by President Mary Robinson that she is to resign in September to take up her UN post
For the first time in his life he is now at peace. - Margaret Maher, whose brother, Father Joe Walsh, was a victim of triple-murderer, Brendan O'Donnell, found dead in Dublin's Central Mental Hospital on Thursday