In his own words . .

"If we are to achieve national recovery, it will involve a tremendous national crusade. It must be made clear to our civil servants that they also must take part in that crusade. Leadership and initiative are required at all levels."

- Mr Haughey's maiden speech in the Dáil on May 14th, 1957.

"I now categorically state that at no time have I taken part in any illegal importation or attempted importation of arms into this country."

- Speaking following his resignation from the Government at the request of the Taoiseach, Mr Jack Lynch, on May 8th, 1970.

"The cynical attempt at partitioning Ireland has ended in total, tragic failure ... The Irish nation must now mobilise all its moral and physical resources, it must manifest without equivocation its concern for the people of the North."

- As a Fianna Fáil TD on internment and violence in the North on TV on August 12th, 1971.

"The Bill seeks to provide an Irish solution to an Irish problem."

- As Taoiseach, on legislation allowing contraceptives on prescription for married couples on February 28th, 1979.

"We have been living away beyond our means. We have been living at a rate which is just not justified by the amounts of goods and services we have been producing. To make up the difference we have been borrowing enormous amounts of money, borrowing at a rate which just can't continue."

- Speaking as Taoiseach in a television address to the nation on January 9th, 1980.

"You know what I want - so what do you want?"

- Asking Independent TD Tony Gregory for his support in forming a government on March 9th, 1980.

"It was a bizarre happening, an unprecedented situation ... a grotesque situation ... an almost unbelievable mischance."

- As Taoiseach on the resignation of the Attorney General, Mr Patrick Connolly, after murder suspect Malcolm Macarthur was found at his home, on August 17th, 1982. Hence Conor Cruise O'Brien's new word "Gubu".

"I will insist that the Cabinet stands firm behind me with no shilly-shallying... the situation is going to be dealt with. We are going to bring to an end the simmering dissension and sniping."

- As Taoiseach, speaking ahead of a no-confidence motion tabled by Fianna Fáil TD Mr Charlie McCreevy on October 4th, 1982.

"I want to make it crystal clear that the Government as such and I as Taoiseach knew absolutely nothing about any activities of this sort."

- The former Taoiseach on Irish Times report that phones of journalists Geraldine kennedy and Bruce Arnold were tapped while Fianna Fáil was in Government on January 19th, 1983.

"The sort of smug know-all commentator - I suppose if anything annoys me, that annoys me... I could instance a load of f**kers whose throat I'd cut, and push over the nearest cliff, but there's no percentage in that."

- Speaking as Fianna Fáil leader during an interview for Hot Press magazine, published on November 29th, 1984.

"The head of the Government has been shown to be unsound in his judgment, treacherous in his relationships, vacillating in his decisions, incompetent in the management of his party and his Government."

As Fianna Fáil leader, on the Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald's handling of the dismissals of ministers of state on February 20th, 1986.

"Hyped-up and exaggerated by a massive campaign of vilification and character assassination of unprecedented intensity, without regard to evidence, proof or justification."

- As Taoiseach, speaking about his alleged involvement in business scandals on October 19th, 1991.

"I wish to state categorically that I was not aware at any time of the tapping of these telephones and that I was not given and did not see any transcripts of the conversations."

- As Taoiseach, responding to Mr Sean Doherty's allegations that Mr Haughey was "fully aware" of the phone tapping and transcripts, on January 22nd, 1992.

"I have done the State some service, and they know't. No more of that."

- As Taoiseach, quoting William Shakespeare's Othello, after resigning following Mr Doherty's allegations, on February 11th, 1992.

"Thank you, big fella."

- What businessman Mr Ben Dunne claims Mr Haughey said after he gave the former Taoiseach three bank drafts worth £210,000. Mr Dunne made the comments on April 21st, 1997, before the Dunne Tribunal.

"As a result of reviewing the excellent work of the tribunal in considering the very helpful documentation recently received from Mr Ben Dunne's solicitor, I now accept that I received £1.3 million from Mr Ben Dunne ... In making this statement I wish to make it clear that until yesterday I had mistakenly instructed my legal team."

- Mr Haughey's speaking to the McCracken Tribunal on July 9th, 1997.

"I never had to concern myself about my personal finances. He [Mr Des Traynor] took over control of my financial affairs from about 1960 onwards. He sought, as his personal responsibility, to ensure that I would be free to devote my time and ability to public life..."

- The former Taoiseach distances himself from his financial dealings in his opening statement to the McCracken Tribunal on July 15th, 1997.

"At this point Mr Haughey became quite vicious and told Mr Denvir that 'he would not give up his cheque book and he had to live' and 'that we were dealing with an adult and no banker would talk to him in this manner'. Futhermore, he stated that if any drastic action was taken by the bank, he could become a very troublesome adversary."

- An Allied Irish Bank official's account of a meeting with Mr Haughey on October 1st, 1976. The account was published on February 19th, 1999, at the Moriarty Tribunal on payments to politicians.