This Week They Said

I was not at all embarrassed at giving birth before thousands of strangers. I didn't even think about it.

I was not at all embarrassed at giving birth before thousands of strangers. I didn't even think about it.

- Danish woman Ms Rie Refslund, speaking about giving birth to her daughter live on the Internet on Tuesday.

He was also a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland and one of the greatest gentlemen you could meet. He was so quiet and unassuming about his fame, it was unreal.

- Motorcycle broadcaster and writer Harold Crooks, paying tribute to motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop, who was killed in a race in Estonia last Sunday.

READ MORE

I'd rather not comment at this stage.

- Barrister Mr Colm MacEochaidh, responding to reports that he was setting up a new political party which would contest 15 seats in the next election.

Is the scapegoating of the Catholic clergy and the church - until recently a very sacred cow in Irish society - an indication that we are in denial of the truth that the great majority of abuse cases takes place within the family, the last sacred cow remaining in Ireland?

- Father John Carroll, an Enniscorthy based curate, suggesting that society is in denial about the true causes of sexual abuse.

I hope you have a happy retirement, like meself.

- Mr James Gogarty wishing Justice Feargus Flood well, after he finished giving evidence at the Flood tribunal on Wednesday

Today, Mexico enters the 21st century with its right foot forward.

- Mr Vicente Fox, leader of the National Action Party which ousted the Institutional Revolutionary Party after 71 years of rule.

This is the worst I have seen since the early days of the Troubles. I thought it was all behind us.

- A north Belfast resident, speaking about the rioting which was sparked by the loyalist protests in Portadown.

What we are doing, in fact, is to call on the leadership of the Orange order to call them off immediately.

- Dr Trevor Morrow, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, urging the Orange Order to call off its protest at Drumcree.

It is a knee-jerk reaction which is probably unworkable and it will do nothing to control inflation.

- Mr Tadhg O'Sullivan, chief executive of the Vintners' Association of Ireland, commenting on the Government's six-month price freeze on certain drinks.

I'm too old to go to bars and I'm too old to flirt in the cafeteria with 20-year-old nurses.

- Mr Paul Dantzig, a divorced American dermatologist who is offering $200,000 to any woman who will marry him.

Being a Prime Minister can be tough but being a parent is probably tougher.

- British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair speaking on Thursday after his 16-year-old son Euan was taken to Charing Cross police station for being drunk and incapable.

What happened was the greed of Europe has once again kicked Africa in the teeth.

- Former Irish rugby star Mr John Robbie reacting angrily to FIFA's decision to hold the 2006 World Cup in Germany rather than South Africa.