Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan has today launched a brand new travel app aimed at Irish fans heading for the European Championships in France.

TravelWise provides overseas security updates directly from the Department and can be downloaded on iOS and Android by all Irish residents travelling abroad.

It employs an easy-to-use four-tier security rating system for whatever country you happen to be visiting.

It gives smartphone users access to the Department of Foreign Affair's global network of 80 embassies and consulates, as well as their 90-plus honorary consulates.

Those emergency contacts and all of the APp content is available offline to avoid roaming charges.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Flanagan said:

"I am delighted to launch TravelWise, my Department's new free smartphone app. TravelWise will help Irish people travelling abroad to stay safe and informed while travelling, living or working overseas.

"I would urge all Irish people travelling abroad to download and use the app. The app has user-friendly travel advice and consular information for 200 countries worldwide.

"All fans heading to Euro 2016 in France can download the app and "favourite France, to get France-related security updates from my Department direct to their phone. Mothers and fathers back in Ireland can do the same."

Go to dfa.ie/euro2016 for more.