Found this today on the Irish Times Web site http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1020/breaking34.html and thought it was interesting.
Mary
Davis:"What I’m more interested in
is the people who are airbrushed out of society" - responding to a question
about airbrushed images from Pat Kenny.
"I would like the Áras to be a very open home. In fact, I would be interested in changing the name to Áras na Daoine" - making the pitch for the people's presidency.
"I would like the Áras to be a very open home. In fact, I would be interested in changing the name to Áras na Daoine" - making the pitch for the people's presidency.
“I knew the campaign would be hard, but it got to
be very negative. I’m the best candidate. I speak the truth all of the time."
“For example, the fact that I had only served on three State boards, and there was nothing about the 18 voluntary organisations that I had given my time and commitment to and giving opportunity to people who are marginalised” - expressing frustration that her integrity was being called into question.
Seán Gallagher:
"I'm sure I'm probably the only candidate who ever had their own herd number."
"I have never used the word 'condemnation' in my life. It is not in my vocabulary" - explaining why he had not been harsher on Fianna Fáil during a television debate.
"I was asked to condemn Fianna Fáil, and the first thing that came into my mind was the thousands of ordinary decent men and women who are the grassroots of Fianna Fáil . . . and I didn't want to condemn them because they weren't in government, they weren't in Cabinet."
"It was an accounting procedure really in terms of which account the money went into," - declaring that his receipt of a large loan that breached company law was "an honest mistake".
Michael D Higgins:
"You know even in the old days, I never liked champagne for a start" - when asked about Gay Mitchell’s warning to voters not to elect a president who will sip champagne and recite poetry in Áras an Uachtaráin (see below).
“I think it’s time we stopped the nonsense of suggesting that somehow or other that if you have served in every elective office in this country, if you have been lord mayor twice, been president of the Council of [Arts] Ministers, that all of that counts for nothing."
"I have the stamina and the energy . . . I'm running a very rigorous campaign."
Martin McGuinness:
How do you square, Martin McGuinness, with your God the fact that you were involved in the murder of so many people? - Miriam O’Callaghan questions the Sinn Féin candidate during the 'Prime Time' debate.
"I think that’s a disgraceful comment to make" - the candidate responds
"I was accused of being a murderer. That was wrong . . . Miriam went round all the other candidates and asked each and every one of them if I was suitable to be president. She didn’t ask me if I thought any of them were suitable to be president of Ireland."
"I could count on the fingers in one hand the number of people in the North who have said to me - when did you leave the IRA - so it's not an issue for ordinary people."
“I wouldn’t even attempt to pitch myself against any other poet. I do it for fun" - denying he was set for a poetry battle with Mr Higgins.
Gay Mitchell:
“For example, the fact that I had only served on three State boards, and there was nothing about the 18 voluntary organisations that I had given my time and commitment to and giving opportunity to people who are marginalised” - expressing frustration that her integrity was being called into question.
Seán Gallagher:
"I'm sure I'm probably the only candidate who ever had their own herd number."
"I have never used the word 'condemnation' in my life. It is not in my vocabulary" - explaining why he had not been harsher on Fianna Fáil during a television debate.
"I was asked to condemn Fianna Fáil, and the first thing that came into my mind was the thousands of ordinary decent men and women who are the grassroots of Fianna Fáil . . . and I didn't want to condemn them because they weren't in government, they weren't in Cabinet."
"It was an accounting procedure really in terms of which account the money went into," - declaring that his receipt of a large loan that breached company law was "an honest mistake".
Michael D Higgins:
"You know even in the old days, I never liked champagne for a start" - when asked about Gay Mitchell’s warning to voters not to elect a president who will sip champagne and recite poetry in Áras an Uachtaráin (see below).
“I think it’s time we stopped the nonsense of suggesting that somehow or other that if you have served in every elective office in this country, if you have been lord mayor twice, been president of the Council of [Arts] Ministers, that all of that counts for nothing."
"I have the stamina and the energy . . . I'm running a very rigorous campaign."
Martin McGuinness:
How do you square, Martin McGuinness, with your God the fact that you were involved in the murder of so many people? - Miriam O’Callaghan questions the Sinn Féin candidate during the 'Prime Time' debate.
"I think that’s a disgraceful comment to make" - the candidate responds
"I was accused of being a murderer. That was wrong . . . Miriam went round all the other candidates and asked each and every one of them if I was suitable to be president. She didn’t ask me if I thought any of them were suitable to be president of Ireland."
"I could count on the fingers in one hand the number of people in the North who have said to me - when did you leave the IRA - so it's not an issue for ordinary people."
“I wouldn’t even attempt to pitch myself against any other poet. I do it for fun" - denying he was set for a poetry battle with Mr Higgins.
Gay Mitchell:
“I will work with them [the Government] and the
network I have to restore the confidence of this country so those children in
Buncrana and Sligo and Dublin do not have to become part of a Skype generation,
while we sip champagne in the park reading poetry."
"I've been speaking to friends this morning who've said they haven't made their minds up yet" - discussing his friends' voting intentions.
“Seán Gallagher is not going to be Minister for Innovation and Jobs. That is the problem. The job is a different job to the one Seán is applying for. This is a political job."
"It’s a political job. I travelled with Mary Robinson abroad more than any other minister. I know this job. I want to contribute to the recovery of my country. I believe I am the best qualified person to do that.”
Davis Norris:
“But you are not running for election in ancient Greece. You are running for election in modern Ireland” - "Morning Ireland" presenter Áine Lawlor to the senator as he sought to explain the difference between paedophilia and pederasty.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better” - pulling out of his initial bid for the presidency.
“I am tempered steel; I have been through the fire” - speaking on radio in the aftermath of controversy over clemency letters he sent on behalf of his former partner.
I’ve been told by my lawyers that these letters are subject to professional legal privilege, and I’ve been told I cannot publish them” - on those letters.
“While other candidates may wear the badge of independence for political gain, I am the only one who has never been a member of a political party, never been appointed to a State board or never had my political campaigns backed by those with vested interests" - claiming to be the only true “24 carat” independent candidate.
"We would have different views but Pope Benedict shares certain things in common with me. . . . Pope Benedict has put his foot in it once or twice and got slapped, and I share that experience with him."
Dana Rosemary Scallon:
"I'm a very fast learner."
“It has come to my attention that yet further allegations, this time of a most untrue and malicious, vile nature have been levelled against a member of my family. Let it be known that lawyers have already been instructed to forensically investigate a particular communication that spread this vile, false allegation which attempts to implicate me and destroy my good character" - reading from a statement at the end of the "Prime Time" debate.
“I am going to leave it behind me. I am standing by my statement” - expressing her determination to stay in the race for the Áras following the controversy that surfaced surrounding a family member.
"I've been speaking to friends this morning who've said they haven't made their minds up yet" - discussing his friends' voting intentions.
“Seán Gallagher is not going to be Minister for Innovation and Jobs. That is the problem. The job is a different job to the one Seán is applying for. This is a political job."
"It’s a political job. I travelled with Mary Robinson abroad more than any other minister. I know this job. I want to contribute to the recovery of my country. I believe I am the best qualified person to do that.”
Davis Norris:
“But you are not running for election in ancient Greece. You are running for election in modern Ireland” - "Morning Ireland" presenter Áine Lawlor to the senator as he sought to explain the difference between paedophilia and pederasty.
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better” - pulling out of his initial bid for the presidency.
“I am tempered steel; I have been through the fire” - speaking on radio in the aftermath of controversy over clemency letters he sent on behalf of his former partner.
I’ve been told by my lawyers that these letters are subject to professional legal privilege, and I’ve been told I cannot publish them” - on those letters.
“While other candidates may wear the badge of independence for political gain, I am the only one who has never been a member of a political party, never been appointed to a State board or never had my political campaigns backed by those with vested interests" - claiming to be the only true “24 carat” independent candidate.
"We would have different views but Pope Benedict shares certain things in common with me. . . . Pope Benedict has put his foot in it once or twice and got slapped, and I share that experience with him."
Dana Rosemary Scallon:
"I'm a very fast learner."
“It has come to my attention that yet further allegations, this time of a most untrue and malicious, vile nature have been levelled against a member of my family. Let it be known that lawyers have already been instructed to forensically investigate a particular communication that spread this vile, false allegation which attempts to implicate me and destroy my good character" - reading from a statement at the end of the "Prime Time" debate.
“I am going to leave it behind me. I am standing by my statement” - expressing her determination to stay in the race for the Áras following the controversy that surfaced surrounding a family member.
“I’ve never been on a board. I’ve never been
invited to be on a board so I won’t be able to put that forward, and I haven’t
been on the Council of State, but I have been on a council estate."
“It was very scary to look at. I think we are all very lucky to be here today. I never start a journey without saying a little prayer and I think we are all very lucky" - commenting after her campaign car suffered a tyre blowout while travelling on the M4.
“It was very scary to look at. I think we are all very lucky to be here today. I never start a journey without saying a little prayer and I think we are all very lucky" - commenting after her campaign car suffered a tyre blowout while travelling on the M4.
