I think even the poorest people in the great country that is the United States should be entitled to basic health care.

I am delighted with the strong vote I have received. My message of positive leadership, patriotism and commitment clearly was resonating with tens of thousands of ordinary Irish people.

The mandate I have received and for which I will speak with heart and head to implement over the next seven years had its four pillars - an inclusive citizenship, equality and participation and respect in a creative society creating an excellence in everything we Irish do.

Be proud to be a decent American rather than a wanker whipping up fear.

Every age, after all, must have its own aisling and dream of a better, kinder, happier, shared world.

When I started out, people were afraid of parish priests. Now they're afraid of newspaper editors.

Through the inspiration of Vaclav's words, the courage of his dissidence and the integrity of his leadership, Czechoslovakia successfully transitioned from an authoritarian state to a free democracy at the heart of Europe.