Tánaiste launches safe summer travel campaign

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, has launched a new consular travel campaign encouraging young people to ‘Make the Right Memories’ this summer with practical tips on staying safe when travelling abroad.

The Tánaiste said: “This information and awareness campaign is aimed at young people planning to travel overseas this summer, many for the first time independently, and many celebrating after having finished exams.

“Sometimes, activities that would be normal at home can present additional dangers abroad. However, by looking out for yourselves, and the friends you travel with, you can ensure that, together, you ‘Make the Right Memories’ - ones that will last a lifetime.

“Remember to keep your phone charged and share live locations with friends, especially on nights out. Stay in touch with each other and with family in Ireland. Keep an eye on your drinks in clubs and bars, and take a picture of key travel documents to keep on your phone. Be sure to swim only in designated areas, and when it is safe to do so.

“My Department and I want to ensure that Irish citizens have all the information they need to make smart choices and enjoy a stress-free holiday. I encourage everyone travelling this summer to visit www.Ireland.ie/TravelWise for our most up-to-date thematic and country-specific advice. I would also urge all those travelling to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, and for any citizens travelling to continental Europe to carry both a valid Passport Card and European Health Insurance Card.”

“My Department has also been working closely with USIT to make sure those embarking on that time-honoured tradition of the J1 summer are well-equipped to handle their American adventures. Along with this, we are developing a Consular-focused Social, Personal and Health Education programme for the upcoming academic year, to teach senior-cycle students about responsible travel – a life skill more valuable now than ever before.”

While most trips abroad are trouble-free, Ireland’s network of Irish Embassies and Consulates across the world stand ready to provide local expertise and advice to Irish citizens in difficulty.

ENDS

Press Office

28 May 2024

Notes to editors

The 'Make the Right Memories' campaign press pack, including the Tánaiste's launch video, sample English and Irish language radio assets, and PDF of the Department's Consular Assistance charger is available to download at https://dfa-ie.sharefile.eu/d-sf1fcf7f1848c4c6fa19b8f94a14b283a
TravelWise, the Department’s Travel Advice service, helps Irish citizens make informed choices about trips overseas with clear and objective Travel Advice for more than 200 destinations worldwide. Visit www.Ireland.ie/TravelWise to learn more. An email service is also available for those with urgent queries at traveladvice@dfa.ie
Irish citizens travelling or residing abroad are encouraged to register on the Department’s Citizens Registration platform . This allows the Department to contact those registered in the event of an unforeseen crisis and, if necessary, to provide consular assistance.
The Department’s Consular Assistance Charter clearly sets out the assistance that can be provided to citizens in difficulty overseas, and the limits of what the Department can do. Citizens requiring assistance while travelling can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs through the closest Irish Embassy or Consulate or by calling the Consular Assistance Unit on +353 1 408 2527.
TravelWise is also the central theme for the Government’s Be Summer Ready campaign gov - TRAVELLING ABROAD (www.gov.ie) . Dept of Defence press release of the launch is available at gov - Launch of the Government’s ‘Be Summer-Ready’ Information Campaign (www.gov.ie) .
Irish people are travelling abroad in greater numbers, and with greater frequency than ever before. Based on consular assistance statistics , 2023 saw the highest number of deaths of Irish citizens overseas reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs. More than one-in-five of all new consular cases in 2023 related to the death of an Irish citizen overseas.
The ‘Make the Right Memories’ campaign is a partner campaign to the Department’s ‘Don’t be that Person’ passport renewal campaign for 2024.
The ‘Don’t be that Person’ campaign encourages people to check their passport before making travel plans and to apply for their passport online, in plenty of time before they depart.
Passport Online is the quickest, easiest and least expensive way for people at home and abroad to apply for their passports, including new applications and first time applications for small children. 91% of all passport applicants have used the Passport Online system so far this year.
The online enhancements made by the passports team have simplified the process for first time applicants, especially when applying for children’s first passport. Following the expansion of Passport Online this year, 99.9% of applicants all over the world can now apply online.
Those who are planning to travel might also consider applying for a passport card, for safety and travel convenience. Wallet sized, the passport card makes it easy to have official ID on you at all times and allows you to store your passport book in a safe place. The passport card is available online, costs only €35, and applications are typically processed in 3-5 days.