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While Ireland is about to experience a temporary slowdown as everyone starts focusing on their festive breaks, this week was an extremely busy one for news both at home and abroad.

On Breakfast this morning, the weekly panel discussed the people that dominated headlines this week, for reasons both positive and negative:

In terms of a particularly good week, there were three strong candidates:

• The Pope, who was announced Time Person of the Year.
• Brendan Ogle, for managing the ESB strike and helping avert a mass blackout.
• The Government, who are up in the polls as the New Year looms.

On the other hand, a few people and groups unfortunately didn't emerge smelling of roses:

• The Central Remedial Clinic and Paul Kiely, its former chief, regarding the ongoing 'top-ups' controversy.
• Jacob Zuma, who was on the receiving end of highly audible boos at the Nelson Mandela memorial
• Civil servants, who look to come under increased scrutiny as critics say the State's Performance Related Review ranking system isn't of a high enough standard.

After the panel discussion, the participants agree it was the Government that enjoyed the best week (although normal negativity will resume on Monday), while it was the CRC that endured the worst (that choice was "no contest", the panel concluded).

Do you agree with the panel's decision? Who do you think had the best and worst weeks? Vote in our polls and leave your comments below.