This Week They Said

I cannot promise success but I will promise that we will work very hard to achieve it.

I cannot promise success but I will promise that we will work very hard to achieve it.

The Taoiseach sets out the Government's stall as it assumes Presidency of the EU.

He faced the real challenges and dangerous situations he encountered with the utmost courage, knowing full well that he was putting his life at risk by carrying out his duties.

Minister for Defence Mr Michael Smith pays tribute to Archbishop Michael Courtney, killed in an ambush in Burundi. The Tipperary-born prelate was Papal Nuncio to Burundi.

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More than ever, we need a new international order that draws on the experience and results achieved by the United Nations.

The Pope, in his New Year homily.

We share your sorrow; those lost are our children.

Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks to a crowd in Bam, where an earthquake has killed more than 20,000.

Every day we are sending several of the teenagers back to Bam because they want to go and find their homes. They come back a little calmer after they see that there is nothing to go back to.

Dr Reza Khoshnood on helping the orphans in the Iran earthquake.

We expect this level of co-operation from all nations.

Dennis Murphy, US Homeland Security spokesman, says flights between Ireland and the US may be forced to carry armed guards. British authorities confirmed this week that armed sky marshals would be deployed on some transatlantic flights.

In the same circumstances, yes, if I am terrorised.

Tony Martin, a British farmer jailed for fatally shooting a burglar, says he would do the same again.

A real risk that a new underclass will develop that is resented by others in the community and that is resentful of its exclusion from mainstream society.

Peter O'Mahony, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, warns that failing to liberalise asylum laws may have grievous consequences.

It's been a very tough Christmas for them, and a very worrying time. But they're over the moon about his release and looking forward to being with him again.

A Red Cross spokesman speaking on behalf of the family of Adrian Leahy, who was released by bandits in Iran.

We finally convinced Charlie that we couldn't be here every September sitting around saying, 'We better not sign any new contracts'

Minister for Transport Séamus Brennan on how he received Department of Finance approval for a five-year investment strategy.

I ate beef today and I will continue to eat beef.

President Bush shrugs off confirmation of the first case of BSE in the US.

One of the largest and most brazen corporate financial frauds in history.

The verdict of the US Securities and Exchange Commission on the collapse of Italian company Parmalat.

No one should assume that once we get to Christmas and after New Year's that people should let their guard down. Al-Qaeda has suffered some serious setbacks, but we know they are still capable of launching major attacks.

A US government spokesman.

The two governments have not honoured their part of [the agreement\]. The British government carries the premier responsibility for that. Its failure to deliver is of deep concern.

The IRA, in a statement.

I don't care whether it's the British empire, the Croydon empire, the Lewisham empire or the Hackney empire.

British comedian Roy Hudd, who received an OBE.