'FG: Making it up as they go along'

More quotes of the day from campaigning in the general election:

:: ‘‘Fine Gael are just making it up as they go along, with economic policy now in complete disarray’’ - Fianna Fail minister of state Martin Cullen, on the fiscal dog-fight between Government and Opposition.

:: ‘‘He is in danger of giving the false impression that in doing that you are voting for a coalition rather than a single majority Government’’ - Attorney General, Progressive Democrats President and election hopeful Michael McDowell on the election advice being offered by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

:: ‘‘(They are) acting out some script that could have been written by Spike Milligan’’ - Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams takes a goonish look at the strategy of his big party opponents.

:: ‘‘It has been about which leader is the best craic and not about policies or issues. And the best asset Fianna Fail has going for it is Fine Gael’’ - Mr Adams develops his theme.

:: ‘‘Fianna Fail will make it easier for everyone to take out a pension - even if people don’t have a job’’ Social Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern makes a pledge.

:: ‘‘Why is nobody mentioning Europe?’’ Mr McDowell finds a missing election issue.

:: ‘‘This is the latest in a long line of Fianna Fail cronyism’’ Fine Gael frontbencher Alan Dukes on Mr Ahern’s appointment of a friend to chair the Dublin Port Authority.

:: ‘‘I’ll probably sulk’’ - Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy on his likely response if Fine Gael failed to answer his questions on their economic policies.

:: ‘‘They must level with the public on the state of the country’s finances’’ - Fine Gael leader directs his own demand at Government ministers.