THE TAOISEACH IN QUOTES

“I think anybody who’s involved in that sort of conduct should apologise for their behaviour. That’s no way to conduct debate in this country.”

On the Jobstown protest

“It’s going to be tight. Any spending increases and tax cuts are going to be modest. But it’ll be more than €300m.”

On Budget 2017

“I won’t be doing a Theresa May, you can be sure of that.”

On calling a snap election

“I anticipate that everybody will have their money back before the end of the year.”

On water charge refunds

“Even people in my age group, in their late 30s, haven’t bought properties yet. People used to often buy in their 20s.”

On property price rises

“In terms of a ‘Leo Leap’, Fine Gael did get a bounce from the change of leader.”

On opinion polls

“I want him to succeed… I will be at his wedding.”

On relations with Health Minister Simon Harris

“It can be a little bit claustrophobic.”

On having Garda protection

“What’s evident is that it’s not all about money and staff. If it was all about money and staff, things would be getting better, not worse.”

On the health service

“I said to her that if she’s facing resistance, if there are people who are resisting reform, who are resisting culture change, who are not willing to engage in the kind of reform that’s required in the Garda that she should take them on and she’ll be backed up if she does so.”

On his first meeting with Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan

“It wasn’t a decision of Enda Kenny or Frances Fitzgerald. I was there at the Cabinet table when we made that decision and I didn’t object to it. I’m not going to wash my hands of it.”

On the appointment of Maire Whelan to the Court of Appeal