We, the Christian Brothers in Ireland, wish to express our deep regret to anyone who suffered ill-treatment while in our care. - The Irish Christian Brothers in an advertisement in national newspapers
They were good and bad. Those who were good were very good. Those who were bad were mental, to tell you the truth. - Former Brothers boy, Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein
I think I have enough experience to judge when something is realistic, and I think it is realistic to expect that agreement will be reached. - Northern talks chairman Senator George Mitchell
They have a maximalist requirement on changes to Articles 2 and 3, but respond in a minimalist fashion to our requirements on North-South bodies. - The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Liz O'Donnell, in a criticism of the UUP's approach to the negotiations
The prize is immense. A positive outcome will settle the island of Ireland for generations to come. - The Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, on the talks
People react differently to having killed someone. Some just walk into the RUC station and admit the murder because they can't live with themselves. Others find God. But I couldn't do that because I am a devout atheist. Others just fall apart. But if you're to survive you just cope. It's as simple as that. - Talks participant Billy Hutchinson of the PUP reflects on his time in prison for murder
If he is singled out, he is singled out by his own actions. - Counsel for the State in the Moriarty tribunal, Frank Clarke, on Charles Haughey's contention that he had been unfairly singled out by the tribunal
I'd love to spend the rest of my life on a beach in Barbados with a load of babes. - Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary
To anyone with eyes in their head she is innocent. Scriptwriters would be wise to heed public and parliamentary opinion. - British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a call for the early release of Coronation Street's Deirdre Rashid
I believe Boris Yeltsin is afraid of losing power. But there is nothing for him to worry about. I have been seven years out of power and I am fine. - Mikhail Gorbachev
I also want . . . an open and public debate on RSE [Relationships and Sexuality Education], on a level playing field, with all the cards on the table. - Nora Bennis, in a letter to The Irish Times
The new-found prosperity that has visited on us seems to have hardened attitudes to those who don't fit in with the popular model of society, who don't conform to some acceptable model of lifestyle which this affluence has a tendency to spawn. - President Mary McAleese
As a high-profile lawyer who had tremendous success representing his clients, both before domestic courts and the European Court of Human Rights, his murder had a chilling effect on the profession and further undermined public confidence in the judicial system. - Part of a United Nations report which calls for an in- dependent investigation into the 1989 UDA murder of Pat Finucane, a Belfast solicitor
We're disappointed, obviously . . . when you're in a lawsuit against the most powerful man in the world you always expect it's going to be difficult. - John Whitehead, lawyer for Paula Jones, after her sexual harassment case against President Clinton was dismissed