Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has advised students travelling abroad to celebrate completing their Leaving Cert to use common sense and to avoid doing things they would not while at home.
Mr Martin said students should acquire travel insurance, drink in moderation and keep a close eye on passports, driving licences and other documents while overseas.
"Have some knowledge of local laws and customs, remember what may be regarded as a minor offence at home can lead to arrest and large fines in other states," he said.
Some 58,000 students received their Leaving Cert results yesterday morning and a scores of these are expected to travel abroad to mark the end of their second level education.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said 2010 had been a busy year with Irish people seeking consular assistance on 660 occasions during the first six months of the year.
"Having said that many thousands of Irish people do travel safely every day of the year by following these simple steps young people can help ensure their own well deserved break is remembered for all the right reasons," Mr Martin added.
Further travel advice is available from the department's website: www.dfa.ie.