QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“It was hell on earth. I’m disgusted by this decision and I’m calling on the Irish Government to reverse it. Religion has no place in Irish hospitals. Just as it had no place in interfering in my life.” Magdalene laundry survivor Mary Murphy on the Government’s decision to give the Sisters of Charity sole ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital.
“Let me be very clear, the nuns will not be running this hospital, it will not be under Catholic ethos. It will be completely independent. The ethos will be excellence in clinical care, it will not be a Catholic ethos.” Dr Rhona Mahony, master of the hospital.
“The first problem with this, as I’m sure you will agree, is that the phrase, ‘Working artists engaged in productive practice’, sounds oddly North Korean, or is like a phrase that could have been used by Stalin about recalcitrant farmers in the Soviet Union.” Writer Colm Toibin likens the approach of the Arts Council to North Korea in a row over the future of Aosdana.
“I’ve already made my position very clear that once I’m happy with having the ground rules for Brexit in place I’ll make my intentions very clear.” Enda Kenny giving his clearest signal yet that he will spell out a departure date as Fine Gael leader after this week’s EU Council meeting.
“I love vinyl so much; the tactile nature, the ritual of it, looking at the sleeve... especially with the old albums and the liner notes — who played on them, the process of putting it on, the needle going on and the sound coming out.” Singer Elton John waxes lyrical about vinyl records.
“They still think he’s great but these are the stupidest people you have ever met.” Actor John Cleese has no time for Donald Trump supporters.
“Whenever I work, wherever I work, as an actor educated at Eton, I’m still always in a minority.” Damian Lewis.
“It’s just fake news, it’s just fake and not the journalism I was trained in.” TV presenter Eamonn Holmes denying claims that he fell asleep on live television.
“If I sing and nothing moves I don’t think it has the same impact, so I don’t want to lose my emotion, conviction, sharing with the audience. I don’t go to spas, I don’t have facials, I hate having manicures, pedicures.” Singer Celine Dion is wary of cosmetic surgery.
“We all felt there was very much a campaign to get everyone talking and have these conversations, so we’ve got to do the same, you know, do the same — so he’s been brilliant.” Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge on Prince Harry talking about the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and his mental health.
“The three ages of man: youth, middle age and, ‘My word, you do look well’.” Actress June Whitfield.
“The flu can be an amazing diet.” TV star Kim Kardashian.