Irish abroad: What is paternity leave like where you live?

In a recent Broadside article, Irish Times journalist Niamh Towey argued that the role of the modern Irish father is still being overlooked in Irish society, and how she is frightened by the impact having a baby - and thus taking a long period of maternity leave - could potentially have on her career.

As of September 2016 in Ireland, parents (other than the mother of the child) are entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave within six months after the birth or adoption. Payment during leave depends on your contract of employment, but you may be entitled to State benefit.

Irish Times Abroad would like to hear from Irish parents who have had their babies (or adopted) overseas about the maternity, paternity and parental leave on offer there, and their personal experiences. What options were available to you? Did you or your partner take the full amount of leave? If not, why not? How different are attitudes to maternity and paternity leave and the role of the father in society generally - and in the workplace - between there and Ireland? What could Ireland learn from where you live?

Please email your stories to abroad@irishtimes.com (max 300 words), with a few lines about you and your family, and a photograph. A selection may be published online. Thank you.