HERE ARE 25 of the quotes that tell the story of the year that was 2013.
The year in quotes
"The real heroes and heroines are Irish people. They’ve had taxes increased and services cut, yet they sustained the course and supported the government as we implemented the programme." — Minister for Finance Michael Noonan praised the Irish people for bearing the brunt of the bailout programme. Source: Laura Hutton/Photocall IrelandThe year in quotes
“Do you think Bartoli’s dad told her when she was little, ‘You’re never going to be a looker, you’ll never be a Sharapova, so you have to be scrappy and fight’?” - BBC commentator John Inverdale gets in hot water over this comment about the Wimbledon tennis champion. He later apologised.Source: Kyodo/PA ImagesThe year in quotes
“You, Taoiseach, turned a blind eye to all this… You showcased us as a nation of pimps – prostituting ourselves in return for a pat on the head.” - Clare Daly was not impressed with Enda Kenny and the reception for the Obamas.The year in quotes
"Noli timere" - "Don't be afraid", Seamus Heaney’s last words to his wife before he passed away as revealed by his son at the poet’s funeral.Source: PA WireThe year in quotes
“Living in a home costs money, unless owned outright, this cost must be met through mortgage repayments, rent or by the state through social housing.” - Ulster Bank chief executive Jim Brown defends the bank’s handling of mortgage arrears cases. Source: Liam McBurney/PA WireThe year in quotes
“I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.” Angelina Jolie after she underwnt a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risk of contracting breast cancer.Source: AP Photo/Koji SasaharaThe year in quotes
"It will not lead to the introduction of abortion on demand in Ireland but it will clarify the very rare circumstances in which doctors can intervene if there is a real risk of a woman losing her life during her pregnancy." Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013.The year in quotes
“I say to the Chief Whip that he has made an absolute shambles of this debate and he has brought the House into disrepute through the manner in which he has handled it and consulted with the Opposition. We agree to the adjournment.” - Micheál Martin hits out at the government over the decision to extend the Dáil sitting until 5am as TDs debated the abortion bill.Source: Niall Carson/PA WireThe year in quotes
“The idea that someone who has been a member of this house… has to listen to ‘The Regina Monologues’ from somebody who’s not a wet week in this house, talking through her fanny, I object on the strongest possible basis.” - Senator David Norris causes uproar with his remarks about Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty.The year in quotes
“We seek a future when a child can walk down the street and not worry that others see him as dangerous because of the colour of his skin.” President Barack Obama after black teenager Trayvon Martin was shot dead by George Zimmerman.Source: AP Photo/Carolyn KasterThe year in quotes
"I'm a flawed character." - Lance Armstrong, admitting in a TV interview that he had used drugs during all seven of his Tour de France titles Source: John Giles/PA WireThe year in quotes
“I am well aware of the gravity of this act.” – Pope Benedict XVI becomes the first pope in several centuries to resignSource: AP Photo/Gregorio BorgiaThe year in quotes
“My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them.” - Former National Security Agency employee Edward Snowden explains why he decided to leak details of the US’ vast surveillance programmes to the media. Source: Kin Cheung/AP ImagesThe year in quotes
“It's been very emotional. Any parent will know what this feeling is like.” - The Duchess of Cambridge emerging from St Mary's Hospital following the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis. Source: Dominic LipinskiThe year in quotes
"I am a female." After being jailed for 35 years, Chelsea Manning self-identified as a woman. Source: PA ImagesThe year in quotes
“Could I honourably suggest that if you want some order from the government TDs then perhaps you should close the Dáil bar. That may be a useful way to get some order here.” – Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams causes consternation in the Dáil chamber during a debate on emergency banking legislation.Source: Niall Carson/PA WireThe year in quotes
“I think I’ve been slightly misunderstood over the years as a somewhat harsh, abrupt, caustic… eh... individual when really those that know me can confirm I’m very warm, soft, and cuddly.” — Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary whose airline changed many of its customer services policies this yearSource: Brian Lawless/PA WireThe year in quotes
"You obviously don’t know Martin as well as you think you do. He makes me look like Mother Teresa." — Roy Keane warns of what Martin O’Neil might have in store as Ireland manager. Source: Brian Lawless/PA WireThe year in quotes
"The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than eight hundred and fifty quadrillion dollars. We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it." - The White House's official response to an online petition to build the death star that received 34,435 signatures. Source: PA ImagesThe year in quotes
“I made mistakes, I drank too much, I smoked some crack some time. What can I say? I made a mistake, I’m human.” The one and only Rob Ford. Source: Chris Young / PA ImagesThe year in quotes
"Instead of being just a church that welcomes and receives by keeping the doors open, let us try also to be a church that finds new roads, that is able to step outside itself and go to those who do not attend Mass, to those who have quit or are indifferent." - New Pontiff and Time's Person of the Year Pope Francis outlines his vision for the Roman Catholic church. Source: AP Photo/Alessandra TarantinoThe year in quotes
“The question he wants answered is ‘Why was this allowed to happen?”’ – Solicitor for Praveen Halappanavar on the questions raised by the HSE report into the death of his client’s wife Savita. Source: Laura Hutton/Photocall IrelandThe year in quotes
"Make no mistake. President Obama believes there must be accountability for those who would use the world’s most heinous weapons against the world’s most vulnerable people." - John Kerry promises a responses to chemical weapons attacks in Syria.Source: AP Photo/Bilal HusseinThe year in quotes
The tiny shapes inside some of the body bags and the children’s toys placed on top of makeshift coffins are a tragic reminder that some were simply too young to be able to escape. - Trócaire's Eoin Rice describes the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.Source: Julien Behal/MaxwellsThe year in quotes
"I'm not happy with the profundity of my rotundity." - Health Minister James Reilly when questioned on a Sunday Independent piece by Niamh Horan which criticised his own health.Source: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
- Source: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland" title="">
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- Source: Liam McBurney/PA Wire" title="">
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- Source: John Giles/PA Wire" title="">
- Source: AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia" title="">
- Source: Kin Cheung/AP Images" title="">
- Source: Dominic Lipinski" title="">
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- Source: Niall Carson/PA Wire" title="">
- Source: Brian Lawless/PA Wire" title="">
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- Source: Chris Young / PA Images" title="">
- Source: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino" title="">
- Source: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland" title="">
- Source: AP Photo/Bilal Hussein" title="">
- Source: Julien Behal/Maxwells" title="">
- Source: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland" title="">
Here are the quotes from each week of the year gone by >
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