Irish work longer than most EU counterparts

IRISH people work the equivalent of six weeks a year longer then their French counterparts, according to a survey of the 27 EU member states.

The Irish working life is also much longer than the EU average — and with far greater numbers aged over 55 years still in full-time jobs.

The Irish also have a longer working week and the least number of public holidays annually among the 15 former member states, the European Foundation for Working and Living, a EU agency based in Dublin found.