Figures released today by the Department of Foreign Affairs show that 194 Irish people died while abroad in 2012.

The figures show that the Department and Irish Embassies provided consular assistance to nearly 1,500 citizens following serious emergencies, including deaths, arrests, accidents, child abductions and hospitalisations.

The highest number of emergencies occurred in Spain, followed by Australia, the US, France, and Britain.

During Euro 2012, consular offices were opened in Gdansk and Poznan and provided 24 hour cover for fans travelling for the tournament.

These provided support to over 180 individual cases and several hundred more citizens were advised and assisted with queries.