Dúirt Siad...

Isn't it illustrative of the sheer bankruptcy of our politics that this "scandal", which was at best a matter of appearances, completely dominated political life for two weeks, leaving more substantive issues unexamined and undiscussed. - Eoin Ó Murcú on the media's treatment of the controversy regarding Bertie Ahern's finances, to the detriment of more pressing political issues. Village, 5 October.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary will immediately move to sack 1,000 Aer Lingus employees if he succeeds in taking over the airline. - Tom McEnaney, Business Editor, Irish Independent, Saturday, 7 October.

I think this has been one of the most serious breaches of the Parades Commission's guidelines - playing music in a church carpark when a Mass was underway.' - Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff speaking about an incident involving the loyalist Pride of the Village Flute Band who deliberately disturbed Massgoers in the village of Beragh, County Tyrone, in a sectarian display on Saturday evening, 7 October.

Like stupid children, the DUP refuse to overtly talk with paramilitaries while negotiating indirectly behind backs. They prefer that loyalists remain enslaved in their boxes and fear lest they get off their knees to challenge DUP hegemony. - Roy Garland, the Irish News, Monday 9 October.

If I were a DUP voter I'd be hoping my leader will do a deal next week. This final offer could be as good as it gets. - Breidge Gadd, the Irish News, Tuesday, 10 October.

"In Sinn Féin's view there is an urgent need for all parties to the Basque conflict to come together and agree the timeframe for and modalities of all party talks. Such talks would provide the momentum which many observers argue is currently lacking in the process." - Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP, speaking after he co-signed a Declaration of Support for the Basque Peace Process. The declaration is a major international initiative co-signed by political leaders from across Europe and the world including former Presidents of Italy and Portugal, the South African ANC and Mexican RDP.