Foreign Affairs handled 13,000 emergencies in 2010

The Department of Foreign Affairs dealt with more than 13,000 serious consular emergencies in 2010. The figure was down from 13,050 in 2009.

The incidents dealt with in 2010 included deaths, arrests, accidents and hospitalisations. Two hundred and four people died while overseas in the year, down from 240 the previous year.

The Department also dealt with more than 290 arrest cases in 2010.

And although the figure was down from 2009, Foreign Affairs Minister Micháel Martin has released a statement urging everyone to exercise caution while abroad in 2011, and to avoid excessive drinking and refrain from buying drugs.