Irish women earn 20 percent less than men - according to new research.

On average, men working in professional jobs earn €12,500 euro more than their female colleagues.

The Women's Council says companies need to be more transparent about wages - and introduce family-friendly policies.

Juliette Gash reports;

A new study by Morgan McKinley found that men in professional jobs earn 12 and a half thousand euro more than women, when bonus and salary are taken into account.

It also revealed that the gap was actually wider for women who had high levels of education or a lot of experience.