The Tánaiste is not a fan of Apple and Facebook's offer to pay female employees to freeze their eggs.

The policy hit the headlines yesterday after it emerged that Facebook offers to cover the cost of the procedure to its US workforce, so that employees can focus on their careers.

Apple is planning a similar perk from next January.

In a statement, Apple said it "cares deeply about our employees and their families, and we are always looking at new ways our health programs can meet their needs."

The Irish operations of both companies say they have no plans to introduce it here.

Speaking ahead of a women in business and politics event in Dublin, Tánaiste Joan Burton said she'd prefer "traditional" approaches when it comes to balancing work and family life:

Experts have pointed out freezing eggs is a relatively new procedure that does not guarantee a successful pregnancy.

Corey Whelan, of the American Fertility Association, said: "It's really, really important for women to know it's not a guarantee of motherhood. Some women consider it an iron-clad insurance policy. It's not."