Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has described figures which show an increase in deaths of Irish people abroad as "worryingly high".
Figures released today show that almost 60 travellers died abroad in the first quarter of 2008. Twenty people died in Spain, seven in the US, and five in Thailand. Other countries where Irish residents passed away included Italy, Ghana, Fiji, Argentina, Laos, China and the Middle East.
Minister Ahern indicated the number of Irish tourists dying oversees would double if current trends continue. Last year, Irish consular staff handled 130 deaths overseas.
Young people, in particular, have been warned against the misuse of drink and drugs and to heed travel advice before holidaying.
"Today, we are travelling in greater numbers to a wider variety of destinations than ever before," Mr Ahern said.
"Last year alone, Irish residents made almost eight million trips abroad.
"Figures for the first three months of 2008 show our staff have dealt with almost 60 deaths of Irish citizens abroad, with one third of these in Spain.
"The vast majority of these would be holidaymakers.
"The figure for the first quarter of 2008 is worryingly high as we have yet to reach the peak holiday season.
"If that trend continues we are looking at a death toll of up to 300 as numbers dramatically increase during the busy Summer months."
Practical initiatives to protect Irish citizens abroad include the publication of a Consular Charter and the setting up of online travel registration.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has also significantly improved its capacity to respond to the needs of Irish citizens caught up in emergencies overseas, he said.
"We have responded well and learned important lessons from the tragedies of 9/11, the Asian Tsunami and the terrorist bombings in Bali, Egypt and London," added the Minister.
"Exercising common sense, taking sensible precautions and obeying local laws and customs will help ensure that the vast bulk of overseas trips will be enjoyable and safe.
"I would emphasise the risks involved in drug and alcohol abuse, and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of obtaining travel insurance before travelling abroad.
"Failure to take out insurance can lead to considerable financial and logistical difficulties for the traveller and his/her family should problems arise. This applies to weekend trips to London as much as to long periods of overseas travel to distant parts of South America or East Asia."
PA