The Government will today move to pass laws to allow for fathers to take two weeks paid paternity leave.
Dads will get €230 a week during the time they are off work, which is similar to the maternity benefit that mums already receive.
The new laws will also allow dads to take their leave at any stage, within 26 weeks of the birth.
The move is seen as a huge step forward is recognising the needs of modern families in Ireland.
Up until now, Ireland has been behind the majority of European counties when it comes to parental leave.
New dads usually have had to use up their annual leave when their babies are born which is up to the discretion of their employers.
