Irish people travelling abroad are being asked to register on a new website run by the Department of Foreign Affairs, it emerged today.
The initiative is seen as an effort to keep an accurate record of the personal details of citizens if they get into difficulties on their travels and require consular assistance.
The website will be unveiled next week by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern as part of the "Travel Safely - Slan Abhaile" consular document.
The Department already provides travel advice on www.dfa.ie to Irish people planning a trip overseas.
This information assesses the risks involved in countries based on information from Irish diplomats and advice from other countries.
Every year sees thousands of Irish third-level students and other backpackers leave Ireland to travel and work around the world.