The gap in pension pay between men and women is unacceptably high in Ireland, according to Independent MEP Marian Harkin.
Speaking in the European Parliament, where the issue of gender pension gaps was raised during the week, Harkin said the gap was unacceptable.
"The gender pension gap in Ireland is 40%. That's absolutely astonishing," she said.
"The gender pay gap is around 15%, but to think the pension gap is 40% between men and women - those are shocking statistics."