I have absolutely no confidence at all that the people who led us into this economic catastrophe are capable of leading us out

Former RTÉ economics editor George Lee after announcing his candidacy for Fine Gael in the Dublin South by-election

How does he account for the state of the country that he has led for the past 12 months?

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on Brian Cowen's first year as Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Kenny for wishing me well on my first anniversary!

Taoiseach Brian Cowen sarcastically responds to Kenny's jibe

I join with Deputy Kenny in marking the first anniversary of the Taoiseach's elevation to office. I hope there won't be a second one. I don't know how it's been for him, but it's been pretty lousy for the rest of us

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore joins in

Why do you think? For my children

Kathleen Mulhall's response when asked why she did not report the killing of her boyfriend Farah Swaleh Noor by her daughters Linda and Charlotte

There has been damage as a consequence of media attention on one member of the board

Eddie Hobbs on quitting the National Consumer Agency because of controversy over board member Celia Larkin

God has a way of working things out and we believe this baby saved Samantha's life

Jane Orobator speaking about the fate of her daughter Samantha, who will not face the death penalty in Laos for allegedly smuggling heroin because she has become pregnant after being raped in jail

I was a bit disappointed – more for my family and supporters than for myself – when told five days later that I was being replaced by a reserve in the next stage

Would-be Rose of Tralee contestant Charlene Anderson who was expelled from the contest after turning 28, the cut-off point for those taking part

He once criticised Michael McDowell as being the Tammy Wynette of Irish politics. And then he turned around and he was the Tammy Wynette of the Green Party, standing by Bertie

Former Green MEP Patricia McKenna pays tribute to party leader John
Gormley