A look back at the week in quotes...
I don't believe that the Irish people would want us to shy away from the difficult decisions we must now make. - Taoiseach Brian Cowen as the Government unveils its "hairshirt" Budget.
Other public servants in leadership and senior positions may wish to consider whether it is appropriate for them to make a similar move in current circumstances. - Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan hints that semi-State chief executives and local authority managers are expected to follow the Cabinet's lead and accept a 10 per cent salary cut.
There were only two paragraphs talking about the removal of medical cards from over-70s. We had no other information. We only discovered about it at four o'clock the following afternoon. It left us in a vacuum. It has caused huge upset to my constituents. - Fianna Fáil TD Noel O'Flynn as party backbenchers decry the Budget decision on medical cards.
The outlook is grim for these families who are already identified as being at risk of consistent poverty. - Barnardos director of advocacy Norah Gibbons says the income levy will hit low earners particularly hard.