Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens who have died while on holidays abroad in each of the past three years; the number who died from drowning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16792/08]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens who have been injured while on holidays abroad and were brought home by air ambulance in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.

Over the past decade, the number of Irish citizens travelling and living abroad has increased dramatically. For instance, Irish residents made almost 8 million visits abroad in 2007. As a result, the number of requests to my Department for consular assistance and support has increased significantly. While the vast majority of visits abroad are trouble free, some, unfortunately, result in death or serious injury.

A review of statistics shows that so far in 2008, assistance has been sought from my Department in over 60 cases of deaths abroad. In 2007, the total figure was some 130. Figures for 2006 are not readily available. In many of these cases, deaths have occurred in very traumatic and difficult situations. The Department does not break down the fatalities by cause of death, including drowning, as the circumstances can sometimes be in dispute.

Our Missions also provide a wide range of practical assistance where Irish citizens experience serious injury abroad. This includes the provision of details of English speaking doctors and appropriate local medical facilities, transferring funds from family and friends and liaising with insurance or medical evacuation companies. Detailed statistics on the number of Irish citizens repatriated by air ambulance are not available as such transportation is usually organised directly between the family concerned and their travel insurance company.

We have recently completed a tendering process for a comprehensive new electronic consular database and, once fully operational, the new system will enable us to further enhance the service we provide to citizens and our capacity to provide detailed statistics.

I am very pleased also, to report that in the overwhelming number of cases, citizens indicate that they are extremely appreciative of the quality of the support and advice they receive from the Department and our missions overseas in these, often tragic circumstances.