QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“I am actually getting frustrated with the amount of time this drug company and their PR agents have spent spinning. If they spent the same amount of time engaging in a meaningful manner with the HSE, we could try and resolve this.” Health Minister Simon Harris hits out at the drug manufacturer Vertex over the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi.
“In the UK, they like to put you in a box, don’t they? The ‘national treasure’ box: tolerated and occasionally revered. It’s a bit restrictive.” Singer Boy George. “Women hate women” Singer Madonna.
“Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by two million. Al Gore won the popular vote back in 2000. What happened? How could you have the majority of the people choose one person and a system decide on another?” Film-maker Martin Scorsese on the US elections.
“When people say that I am a sexual object, I argue ‘I am so not that’. It is just something that gets hung on your back and you can never get it off ” Actress Dame Helen Mirren, 71.
“There is a pernicious myth that, somehow, intelligence services are moral equivalents. That the end justifies the means, whatever the cost. Much of the fictional portrayal of us is along those lines and it is wrong.” MI6 chief Alex Younger. “I see more trouble ahead. It is not working as it was intended. Some countries have seen decades of lost growth.” Former British prime minister David Cameron warns of euro collapse.
“With Strictly, I got what I wanted — a bit of fame and fortune.” Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman, who is leaving the show at the end of the current series.
“I loathe Boris Johnson. So cavalier. It was almost on the toss of a coin really, which side he went. I’ve spoken to his father, because he was at the same college as I was. I felt like saying ‘Why didn’t you bring your son up to tell the truth?’” Playwright Alan Bennett.
“Everyone knows if they win X Factor they bring out a single, they bring out a book, and then they will be back in the shoe shop and they have been sold a lie. It doesn’t sort your life out, it’s built on sand and begging, not talent and trying. It seems an odd thing to get on my high horse about, but I see it destroying people.” Comedian Ricky Gervais is no fan of reality TV.
“There’s no point in explaining to me — I’ve no idea.” Prince Harry out of his depth during a visit to City brokers.
“Give them a landmine, but make sure you wrap it up in a bit of tinsel.” Dramatist Alan Ayckbourn on writing festive plays.
“My grandchildren call me Gaga.” Duchess of Cornwall to pop star Lady Gaga.