QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Dad had no fear of death. But he had two wishes: to be in his beloved home and not to suffer. Today our farewell is one of thanks.” Suzy O’Byrne speaks at the funeral of her father Gay.
“I stood shoulder to shoulder with the director general — as did many of my colleagues — at the staff meeting. Of course there is robust debate.
RTE chairperson
Moya Doherty denies suggestions there is a “split” between her and director general Dee Forbes after the national broadcaster announced cuts.
“RTE obviously have a system where they want to attract various different presenters, and they have set those salaries themselves and it’s up to them to decide if that model is viable into the future. Really, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a matter for RTE if they think that model is viable, I don’t personally think it’s viable. I think that’s something they’re going to have to look at.” Business minister Heather Humphreys speaking in the wake of RTE’s announcement that it is to cut 200 jobs and reduce the pay of top presenters by 15pc in the coming years as part of a plan to reduce costs.
“It’s never said, but I think it is worth saying, there are no protests in communities that already have accommodation centres. The fear of the new evaporates when people meet the reality, particularly the very people who are that reality.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking about protests over plans to house asylum seekers.
“We have got to bring people to justice. People cannot live their lives with security so that it restricts their freedom.” Quinn Industrial Holdings chairman Adrian Barden.
“This is being introduced not as a grab for money... any money we get will be ploughed back into the environment. This is essentially about getting people to change behaviour in easy ways.”
Environment minister Richard Bruton on plans for a ‘latte levy’ for disposable cups and other charges on single-use plastics.
“If this man is chosen as our next prime minister, the message will be stark: that our dismay that he could ever be elevated to a prominent role in British politics, and our fears of where that will lead, are irrelevant.”
The Jewish Chronicle urges UK voters not to support Jeremy Corbyn and Labour over his handling of anti-Semitism within the party.