"You may see a situation where towns like Portlaoise and Drogheda , because they are in Objective 1 areas, will attract most of the new industries but it is unlikely that industrialists will want to invest away from the eastern fringes of the Objective 1 areas."

IF, March, 1999

"We got practically all that we sought. We are not entirely happy but about 95 per cent happy."

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, March, 1999

"I did my best. I am quite certain that the government, Bertie Ahern and Charlie McCreevy at least put us in the race. Where it went wrong I Don't know, but the news is bad."

- Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, TD for Kerry South, March, 1999

"Clare should have been in from the start. Why it wasn't I will never understand."

- Cllr Joe O'Gorman, FF Chairman Of The Midwest Regional Authority, March, 1999

"We are prepared to take some pain but we are not willing to be crucified."

- Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews, February, 1999

"On your back, Minister, this rests. If we fail, you are going to be blamed."

- Mr jimmy Deenihan, TD, Kerry North, February, 1999

"The government's case was built on sand, was motivated by political considerations and the precarious arithmetic of Dail Eireann rather than by social, and economic considerations for the people of the counties concerned."

- FG finance spokesman, Mr Michel Noonan, TD, limerick East, February 1999.