Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
EVERY WEEK, TheJournal.ie offers a selection of statistics and numerical nuggets to help you digest the week that has just passed.
1 in 3 – The number of women in Ireland who smoke, with the highest rate seen among women aged 18 to 29.
€200 – The maximum limit on cash donations to political parties under strict new guidelines from The Standards in Public Office Commission.
€5 – The note is getting a facelift with The European Central Bank has unveiling images this week of the new note to be introduced into circulation in May.
90 – The number of girls and women who became pregnant as a result of rape in 2011. 17 of these women terminated the pregnancy.
€850 million – The amount of money that will be invested in funds for small and medium businesses in 2013.
50 – The number of jobs that will be created by Chinese dongle manufacturer Huawei in Dublin and Cork. Payments firm OmniPay also announced an expansion with the creation of 30 jobs.
€23,196 – The phone bill a man in Essex received after buying a faulty iPhone.
€9 billion – The total worth of Irish food and beverage exports in 2012. Bord Bia said the Irish food and drink sector had put in a “robust export” performance in 2012 despite an 8 per cent easing in global commodity prices.
49.8 – The level of the latest KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index for December which dropped sharply from 63.8.
26 million – The number of people across the EU who are unemployed.
1,028,000 – The number of people who tuned into the season finale of Love/Hate last year. See the top 20 most popular TV programmes for 2012 here.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
More and more people are starting to get fed up, I can guarantee you people won’t stick these measures much longer, mental health is important too,
@LFCMAD_94: Quite a lot of talk is why there is one law for the majority while fruit pickers and ethenic groups can just ignore those same laws. Why do we bother listening to a Garda telling us to turn around and go home.
@LFCMAD_94: Agreed a tricky situation. There’ll be a very small decrease in restrictions from May 6th, far too many think its going back to “normal” from then, which is pure fantasy. Either everyone loses the head and goes out & about for their mental health reasons causing a second likely wave OR they keep at it, adhere to guidelines making the rest of the year more bearable with restrictions slowly easing up until Christmas.
(Pubs, cinemas, shopping centres may open back but with major restrictions)
Far too many assumptions too hard to call, just all keep an eye on Austria, Czech, Denmark & NZ see how that goes, who are 10 to 14 days ahead of us.
@D walsh: are they ignoring those laws? How so? If you’re hearing a lot of this talk it’d be a good idea to correct them on their errors
@D walsh: Perhaps you should speak out against such thoughts and not simply repeat them?
@Gavin Mckenna: a lot of stuff coming out about the actual amount of cases out there is higher, we’re only testing around 1,500 a day a couple weeks ago when there was thousands more looking to be tested there’s no accuracy in these number of cases whatsoever
@LFCMAD_94: history shows that there’s always been a break down in these sorts of quarantines, usually ends up in rioting, people beheaded all that sort of thing, so possibly isn’t far away from that, but just with Facebook and twitter dislikes and posts being in place of the rioting and no beheading. But you’re not wrong, will be interesting to see what happens and what line they take to keep the lid on it all.
@LFCMAD_94: absolutely
@LFCMAD_94: not that important if your dead or you pass it on & kill other people
@LFCMAD_94: Just remember this comment if your grandparents die. And remember that you were the cause
@D walsh: Whats the difference between experienced migrants workers who are accommodated close to Keelings travelling to work everday, and Irish citizen’s ( those who would actually do the work and not think it beneath them) traveling from different areas to Keelings everyday. This is an essential business, it needs to be kept going. And don’t fall for the “but strawberries aren’t essential” buIIshit. Strawberries were used by those wishing to ridicule Keelings when the fact is they are just a fraction of what Keelings produce and what these workers will be harvesting. The pretence that the problem people have is an issue of public safety is sickening. Irish workers from the most infected region in Ireland are ok, immigrants go home !!
@Tommy Roche: where are they accommodated?
@Tommy Roche: Its called Irish logic….the funny thing is the countries that these migrants are coming from have low virus rates, we on the other hand will give it to them and they will bring it home. Paddy logic at its finest, cannot seem to grasp simple logic just a load of nonsense in their heads that seems to somehow make sense.
@Vin: I wasn’t the cause, the governments decision not to close borders before paddy’s weekend and still to just last week with the migrant workers, and FYI I haven’t seen my grandparents in 3 months and I won’t see them until this passes
@D walsh: why don’t you do the fruit picking then if you think they’re having such a great time?
@D walsh: Hi I’m Irish and I was a fruit picker in Australia and there are many foreigners like me who are on the receiving end of xenophobia from locals for just working as well as being accused of being carriers of the virus. I can understand the position these Bulgarians are in. Please do not look down on the Bulgarians. If you were Irish in Australia doing fruit picking work, you’d understand.
@LFCMAD_94: vin’s comment was disgusting and didn’t merit any reaction. Don’t feed trolls.
@D walsh: how are the fruit pickers flouting the law? They have to isolate for the 2weeks before they start work. With the low rates of Coronavirus in their country, they are probably in more danger from us.
@LFCMAD_94: But you being “fed up” might kill someone else’s grandparents. And some circus clown with an attitude just like yours might come across your own grandparents. All one in the same
Ah but yes, of course your low IQ brain turns to the govt and foreigners. So predictable. Go to the UK and join UKIP. Boring
@Fabio Dillon: why was it disgusting? I’m not the one who lacks empathy.
That’s the reality of this virus. If burying your head in the sand and blaming foreigners makes you feel safe you’re just weak.
People are dead and more will die. Stay the F home, @ssholes
@Vin: didn’t see the part of my comment which said “I”. I think you’ll find my IQ is fine and you should read comments more accurately
Your hard-done-by talk doesn’t do a lot on here. Why don’t you report infringements so that something is done about them, rather than use it as fuel for the Journal comments section?
@D walsh: The fruit pickers and ethenic groups….can just ignore the laws… and put food on our tables…. like they are doing all over Europe. I suppose we could all grow spuds in a barrel.
They are causing all the complacency by their loose talk of reopening schools. Very mixed messages. No way should children and teachers become the frontline
@Nell foran: Neither should construction workers or their families either be thrown in first as usual.
@Nell foran:…. and by allowing hundreds of migrant strawberry pickers in.
@Edwardson Mike: first? That’s a joke surely. Some people have been needed to work this whole time.
@Nell foran: er, front line? I think that’d be all the people who’ve been working this past month. Obviously teachers are front line in other things, like teenagers attitude, name calling, BO, pushy parents etc. but perhaps not front line in this instance! I assume things will only open when the levels of infection decrease to where the risk is acceptable, no doubt demonstrated by some facts and figures to justify the approach.
@Edwardson Mike: Construction will be back 1st. Its what keeps this country going
@Nell foran: I dont think it is mixed messages, moreso that people have taken Holohan’s comments from Friday and exacerbated it to the degree some people who were adhering to the restrictions are not now.
@Edwardson Mike: some construction sites opened up this morning. Apparently housing minister gave the go ahead on Friday. Still haven’t seen an announcement on it. Government seem to be causing a bit of confusion on it.
@Cliff Burnby: Hundreds, eh ? The tale gets better and better with time.
I’m struggling to become a virologist, epidemiologist, statistician and economist at this time, now adding in how the hell to judge levels of complacency, is this psychology I need? So many experts on the journal comments in everything, I feel embarrassed I can only make things up that aren’t based on research or competence!
@ThatLJD: Just keep doing what you are doing. Btw .. still waiting on the loaves and fishes video ..
@Logan Shepherd: Well one of the disadvantages of living at home at 30 is the mother told me to stop wasting food. The step dad loved the wine trick. On the flip side of things, I’ve stopped being told to get a real job and to get a hair cut. the robes and sandals are great for that airy feel around the place and I’m still able to meet the 12 lads on zoom (zoom gave us all full access accounts after Peter told them who we were).
@ThatLJD: Love it :-)
@ThatLJD: you can measure and aggregate sentiment on a topic using mass scrapes of social media. It’s 2020 big data has been around for a good few years now.
It’s not even expensive to do this you can purchase this software yourself. Companies use it to measure sentiment on their brand
@Vin: Ah don’t say Big Data, I really can’t be bothered learning SQL!
@ThatLJD: You don’t need to know it. Smarter people already wrote the software and manage the server. You just pay for software
@Vin: thanks for the heads up, I’ll stick to picking stones, suits me better and my soul.
So what had Leo out today?? Another camera opportunity?? Was that a necessary journey?? He gets to stand around in the sunshine while the rest of us are stuck indoors and then wonders why we are frustrated with the lockdown. If the so called experts cannot tell us when this pandemic will end politicians should stop giving us false hopes. They too should stay indoors.
@Brendan Woods: when will the gardai arrest the political elite for high treason. That is the destruction of hundreds of thousands of peoples jobs and lives and the implementation of the new world order. If the gardai are there to protect the people, lets see them do some real work in protecting people from tyranny.
@Brendan Woods: like being in jail do what your told very hard for people to stay in 3rd week now 2 more and then what? Good westy
@Brendan Woods: why are you stuck indoors? Are you cocooning? Leo is not; the cocooning age bracket so he is able to go out.
Haha hilarious
@Mary Oliver: looks like I have found a drama llama. Look at you sitting at home with your television and internet. If you are not cocooning then you are allowed leave your house.
@Thomas McGrath: what did Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, Thomas McDonagh and all the other Patriots die for in 1916 for these corporate traitors to sell out the Irish people again and again on every issue. I can include Francis of Rome and all the bishops for abandoning their flock when most in need of support against oppression by an elite.
I have a mental health disorder that creates a lot of anxiety when I’m separated from my family. Which I have been for over three weeks now. I’m fed up and worried about my head.
@Fabio Dillon: people can’t take this isolation much longer poor people with anxiety etc
@Fabio Dillon: I’d say your mental health disorder will also be exacerbated by reading and commenting on all these Journal articles.
The same device you are using right now can be used to keep in-touch with your family as if they were in the same room.
We’re all in the same boat.
Well at this stage they can stuff this lockdown up their backsides.
We have been isolating for the past 5 bloody boring weeks and when we go out to get shopping there are hoards of people walking around.
No shortage of cars either, we have been bringing shopping and other essentials to an elderly relative in Co Carlow and we have abided by the rules but it’s looks like a bloody joke.
The absolute clowns purporting to run the country are too busy pandering to their buddies and allowing plane loads into the country.
At this stage I am almost willing to take my chances (I’m not really but I am bloody well pissed off).
Now Leo,Simon … either shit or get off the pot.
We are in lockdown or not !!.
@Justice Mickey: Yes, as they have always said clearly. We are in lockdown. Hard to see what has you confused about it, other than that you don’t like it.
@Justice Mickey: The people coming in to pick fruit are coming from countries with low levels of infection, but somehow this seems to have slipped by the average paddy. We will infect them and send them home to spread it…..comical the logic of some people.
@Niall Concannon:
No, only some seem to be in lockdown or have you got your windows painted black and don’t go out.
It’s a slap in the face to people like ourselves that are following the rules to the letter.
” I don’t like it”… Really Sherlock, you think !!!!.
@Peter Hughes:
Jeasus wept ,
Where in the name of goodness did you see me saying anything about fruit pickers ??.
I actually hope these people get time to enjoy their time here and come back again.
I am talking about Irish people.. residents of Ireland that are out and about.
People driving around to get out for a spin etc.
People out in parks and walking.
You wouldn’t see this amount of people walking around under normal circumstances.
@Justice Mickey: “We have been isolating for the past 5 bloody boring weeks and when we go out to get shopping there are hoards of people walking around.
No shortage of cars either, we have been bringing shopping and other essentials to an elderly relative in Co Carlow and we have abided by the rules but it’s looks like a bloody joke.”
You don’t think the people who you saw, were doing the same as you mostly? Also, you can walk around your 2km for exercise. Just because you seemingly haven’t been doing so, doesn’t mean the people you saw were wrong. The content of your original post suggests you might spend a lot of time in a general state of outrage.
@Niall Concannon:
Seriously, learn the art of “Copy & Paste” will you.
What state of humour I am in is sod all of your business alright…
Are you another one of The Journal medics or psychological wannabes that can identify a persons psychological condition.
Now read over the statement again and then get back to me .
@Justice Mickey: As the man said: “Okey doke, we’ll leave it there so”
Does he mean air traffic
@classic: Road traffic by me has definitely increased over the last few days
The increase in traffic is since Thursday afternoon. Also much more people out then previously. I imagine people think they are fine, so no need to adhere to protect others.
You might a carrier ! think about.
What about the 25 caravans in the curragh,were they monitored?
Unrelated, but could someone advise if the banks have officially announced an interest holiday on mortgage debt?
Or is the debt still rising on people’s mortgages?
@Michael Byrne: You need to apply to your bank yourself for it.
@Michael Byrne: Rising. Its in there T&C.(aib anyway)
@Michael Byrne: banks will never not accrue interest.
Their saying nothing to calm peoples fear.alot of ifs and buts.we need clear direction and where not getting it at moment.people will get restless and that’s when we may get into serious trouble with this virus.
Since about the middle of last week, the south city center has become notably busier around lunch time. Workers basically, often going out to lunch in groups. Contractors have returned to work at a hotel near me. There was a large congregation on Montague St when I passing, of people waiting to get into one small open coffee shop. A lot of people are still trying to socially distance, but there are groups of people walking around now between 12 and 3 with little regard for others on the footpath.
I say all that to say – I don’t think it’s people being ‘fed up’ in this case. It seems to be more employers calling workers back into the office for some reason. Compared to a couple of weeks ago, when the same areas of the city center were dead.
@gofreak: do you call theatres theaters?
@gofreak: there is only so much work that can be done from home.
@sjr: True, but it seems definitions of ‘essential work’ may have slipped recently, without guidance from the government changing at all. Nevermind that employers could do more to impress upon their employees the need to maintain social distance when they’re out of the office, whatever about when in the office. People were going crazy at builders for not socially distancing coming to and from building sites… which led to building sites being shut down. Yet now there are some offices doing the very same.
It’s easy for him to stand in his privileged position as Taoiseach and talk down to the rest of us like we’re children. Everyone has a responsibility to take precautions to limit the spread, but we all have the right to live our lives too, not just exist. He says he knows it’s hard on everyone’s mental health, yet he and his colleagues are doing nothing to support those in isolation. Leo, nobody is going to take you seriously if you can’t respect your people’s human rights.
Our village is now getting regular Garda drive-bys. Lots of walkers/cyclists around as it’s quiet and off the main routes.
@Logan Shepherd: I see! Interesting. And what part of North Korea is your village in Logan?
@Stephen: Glad you are interested Stephen. It’s a little village in the west of Ireland, mostly made up of elderly people. I’m guessing one or more if them reported the increase in activity, hence the Garda drive-bys. Does that help you in any way Stephen?
@Logan Shepherd: Ahascragh?
@Darren Byrne: Brings back memories but no :-)
Imagine a lad who only got in on the 5th count of the election still thinking he has any sort of power left, hey Leo when u are lecturing people on complacency, does that include non Irish citizens flown in on Ryanair and put to work picking strawberries for a company that really didn’t need to have this done since strawberries arent a priority for people now, or is it just the ordinary folk who live in Ireland and don’t have influence or financial clout to do as they please
@Michael Patrick Newell: food security is a priority.its not just strawberries that they are harvesting.
Well maybe if locals wanted to tend the crops, they wouldn’t need to be flown in? Only wanted when it suits I guess?
Fresh (healthy) food is a priority vs junk like chocolate and alcohol.
I feel like the same morons who downplayed the virus back in January are starting to come out of their shame caves and share their unwanted opinions once more.
The grown ups are making decisions. Stay indoors and play with your crayons. Thanks
I’m afraid that I’ve personally witnessed Some of our Eastern European residents visiting each other’s houses, greeting with handshakes, not observing 2 metre rule.
Is it because they have their satellite dish pointed to a different satellite and are not getting the message being delivered here.
In any case it’s just going to delay us.
Maybe a Polish language poster campaign or leaflet drop might help.
have your say