Pricey pleasure: Ireland is one of the most expensive places in the world to have safe sex, according to a study by UK price comparison service pricerunner.co.uk.

It found that in the middle of January, a packet of 12 Durex condoms had an average price of €14.60 in Ireland compared with €13.80 in Spain and €9.80 in the UK.

Of the countries surveyed, the cheapest condoms were to be found in France, where a packet of 12 cost €8.57.