Irish women find plenty of time to read about it and talk about it, but when it comes to making love, there just aren't enough hours in the day.
A survey published yesterday by Mills & Boon says 63 per cent of Irish women have time to read love stories, 50 per cent say they have time for romance, and 49 per cent don't let a day go by without saying "I love you" to their partner.
And in this case words speak louder than actions, because 70 per cent say they haven't time to make love. However, 45 per cent do manage it once a month, while an energetic 8 per cent claim to do it every day. A less fortunate 8 per cent may have made love at some stage, but say they can't remember when.
The survey, part of an international Mills & Boon "romance report", contains more than a few lessons for Irish men. Nearly half of those quizzed would like to send their partners off to romance school, while 25 per cent feel taken for granted in their relationship.
Twenty-nine per cent said the best present they could receive would be their partner cooking dinner. But Irish men can take some comfort from one finding: 68 per cent of women feel their partners spend enough time with them.