DUBLIN, Ireland: The Tanaiste cautioned students and young people venturing abroad for holidays to be vigilant of potential dangers and to prioritize looking out for one another.
Launching the Government’s “Be Summer Ready” campaign, Micheal Martin emphasized the importance of making responsible choices during the summer months, especially when traveling overseas.
He highlighted the risks associated with farm accidents, road accidents, water-based activities, and the increasing prevalence of wildfires. Last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs dealt with over 1,700 cases involving citizens of all ages, addressing various issues, including health concerns, injuries, deaths, arrests, detentions, lost passports, and theft.
In light of many young people traveling abroad this summer, some for the first time or to celebrate the completion of exams, Martin stressed the need for safety and well-being. He announced the launch of a summer travel campaign targeting young people with the theme “make the right memories,” aiming to encourage responsible behavior and vigilance while abroad.
“Activities that would be normal at home can present additional dangers abroad. That is why my department will launch a summer travel campaign for young people later this month with the theme ‘make the right memories’. The aim is to help ensure that everyone, especially young people, considers the safety and well-being of themselves and their friends when traveling abroad.”
The campaign will promote simple yet crucial steps, such as keeping phones charged for sharing live locations with friends, staying connected with each other and family back home, safeguarding drinks in clubs and bars, and maintaining soft copies of essential documents like passports. Other advice includes swimming only in designated areas and being aware of wildfire risks.
Martin underscored the significance of reinforcing these safety measures, acknowledging the traumatic situations that consulate staff and the Department of Foreign Affairs encounter. “Young people come face to face with very, very difficult and very sad and frightening situations, from death to sexual assault,” he added.
“We want people to look out for each other.”
Minister of State Jack Chambers highlighted the Irish Coast Guard’s vital role in assisting over 600 individuals in 2023, resulting in lives saved or preventing long-term hospitalizations. “Already in 2024, the Coast Guard has responded to over 500 incidents to date, and it is gearing up for another busy summer period,” Chambers added.
“Also led by the Irish Coast Guard, the Marine Safety Communications Group relates data in relation to incident trends on the water such as swimmers caught out by riptides, persons surrounded by incoming tides, inflatables that have been swept out to sea or persons in difficulty in not having the right equipment to call for assistance.”
