Quotes from the week just gone...
You either accept [cutbacks] and the horrific consequences that follow in its wake – or you can stand up and fight back. My advice would be to stand up and fight back– Arthur Scargill, former leader of Britain's National Union of Mineworkers, which he led to defeat in the 1984/85 strike
I am heartbroken for him because we don't blame him, we don't want him to serve time in prison. I think he was just very, very unlucky . . . We don't want him to torture himself over this. I don't see this as a murder.– Tressa Walsh on the man who allegedly punched her son, Gearóid Walsh, causing him to hit his head off the ground and die subsequently.
I wish to express my interest in being considered for the position [of president of the European Council]– John Bruton throws his hat in the ring
[Brian Cowen should] get off the British horse and back an Irish candidate.– Enda Kenny suggesting the Taoiseach cool his ardour for the former British prime minister
As an Irish person and head of the Irish Government, obviously I would welcome if John Bruton could be there and get the post if that's possible and certainly if he's there with a great chance, he won't be found wanting with support from us.– Cowen seems to dismount
Look, am I going to sit and weep every time a young hooker feels as though she's been taken advantage of?– US novelist Gore Vidal attempts to give support to film maker Roman Polanski, facing extradition from Switzerland to the US from where he jumped bail after being convicted in 1977 of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.