Irish least likely to work black market — but would rather not talk about it

AN EU survey has found the Irish are the least likely to be paid untaxed, under-the-counter wages but more Irish than any other nationality refused to answer if they were working in the black economy.

The survey concludes we have also become among the most honest and law- abiding in the EU, with more of us being horrified when fellow travellers do not pay for their train or bus ticket, and being very much against people receiving dole they are not entitled to.

However, we were very shy about answering such questions and more than in any other EU country (11%) simply refused to say if they were working in the black economy or employed others in this way.