The Green Party is calling on the government to introduce automatic liability for drivers involved in accidents with child cyclists.

The party says the move would bring Ireland into line with Germany and the Netherlands.

Speaking at a conference in Dublin today, the party's Ciarán Cuffe argued that making motorists liable would result in cars slowing down in the presence of children.

Mr Cuffe argued that this would lead to more children cycling to school, and safer roads.

Concerns were also expressed that progress on many cycling initiatives from the Green Party's period in government had slowed to a crawl.