Parents could be effectively banned from slapping their children under proposals being brought to Cabinet.

The Irish Times reports the Minister for Children, Dr James Reilly, is seeking to remove the defence of "reasonable chastisement", which applies to parents and child carers in common law.

No new laws or offences are being created, instead the Minister wants to effectively ban slapping by removing any reference to it.

It is understood Minister Reilly may seek Cabinet approval for the measures as early as this week.