Unfortunately, it was out that I was to speak at five o'clock. Obviously, the statement was designed for that. It says it for itself . . . There is no need for me to say any more.

- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, responding to the news, given to him midway through his speech on the North, that the IRA interlocutor had broken off contact with Gen. John de Chastelain's decommissioning body.

I believe that the IRA has set out, in a calculated way, to humiliate our Taoiseach, the elected leader of the Irish people. And that is not acceptable.

- The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton

I would like to add my words of deep disappointment and regret that the IRA has so precipitately responded to an action which none of us wanted to see happen, namely the suspension of the institutions in Northern Ireland . . .

- The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn