"Sitting on the sidelines, cribbing and moaning is a lost opportunity. I don't know how people who engage in that don't commit suicide…"

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on 4 July 2007

"The battering that our economy is about to take may be more intense and prolonged than almost anyone can conceive."

NUI Galway economist Alan Ahearne on New Year's Eve 2007

"2008 may provide the springboard for more sustainable growth in the future."

IBEC's Danny McCoy on New Year's Eve 2007

"The cause of our problems was global so I can't say sorry with any degree of sincerity and decency."

Anglo Irish Bank chairman Seán FitzPatrick in a radio interview in the days after the September 2008 state banks' guarantee

"…It is my intention to ensure that the Irish taxpayer will not be liable in any way for any deficit that may occur in the event of there being a problem in the future."

Taoiseach Brian Cowen on 29 September 2008, the morning after the banks guarantee

"If we look at what has happened to other small economies where sudden prosperity and easy credit drove house prices to absurd levels, we should be very worried indeed"

UCD economist Morgan Kelly in December 2006

"Irish bank losses – in property alone – are likely to be enormous"

Economist David McWilliams in November 2007