A glance at the week that was
14
The number of sex-change operations paid for by the HSE between 2005 and 2010.
42The percentage of Irish consumers who bought organic produce in the last 12 months, according to research from the Irish Food Board.
12The number of civil servants who have received around €500,000 each in retirement-linked severance packages since 2007.
€160,000The fine given to Goldman Sachs by the Central Bank of Ireland following an investigation into regulatory breaches at the investment bank.
42
The percentage of Irish teens who reported that they never read for enjoyment, according to an OECD survey.
4,683The number of calls to Amen, a charity for men abused in their own homes, last year – a 28 per cent increase.
We now know
Doris Day, 87, has become the oldest artist to score a UK Top 10 with an album featuring new material.
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has won the US Open, his third grand slam title of the season.
Irish consumers are still paying 18 per cent more than the European average for goods and services, according to the Central Statistics Office.
Guess who holds the record for the most bizarre world records
The 2012 Guinness Book of World Recordswas launched this week with the usual mix of longest, shortest, biggest and fastest. This country is well represented in the 'WTF?' category, with the world's largest pom-pom, made by the 6th class of the Salesian Primary School in Limerick, the most party poppers popped in one minute, 49, achieved by TV3's Alan Hughes, and the largest gathering of people dressed as cartoon characters – 905 people in Flintsones costumes. Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh is also featured for having had the longest career as a live match commentator – 62 years.
