The parents of Leaving Cert students are being encouraged to talk to their children about the risks associated with drinking ahead of results days on Wednesday.

Almost 59,000 students did the Leaving Cert in June and August 12 is the day that they will find out what they have achieved. According to national charity, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), this is an important milestone and students should enjoy celebrating with their friends.

However, it pointed out that this can also be an emotional time, and for some, very stressful, especially if they have not achieved the points that they were hoping for.

"If you add alcohol into the mix, this can make an already challenging situation even more difficult for young people and put their health and safety at risk, particularly if they drink to levels they haven't done before," commented AAI chief executive, Suzanne Costello.

She emphasised that parents need to be aware that their children ‘may end up in situations in which they feel unwell, uncomfortable, or scared as a result of either their own or other people's drinking'.

"We are urging parents to talk openly with their children about what their plans are for the evening and make sure they know all the important details, such as what they will be doing, who they will be with, where they are going and how - and at what times - they plan on getting there and coming home," Ms Costello said.

She encouraged parents to let their children know that if something negative does happen, ‘they can call home without fear of recrimination'.

"Young people need to know that, as parents, while you may not be happy with the fact they may have been drinking, or how much they drank, their safety is your priority and that they are to contact you immediately if they are in trouble," she said.

However, she acknowledged that it can be difficult for parents to get the message through to their children, who are dealing with a combination of peer influence, the Irish drinking environment ‘in which drunkenness has been effectively normalised', and the wide availability of cheap alcohol.

Meanwhile, Ms Costello also called on alcohol retailers, including pubs and nightclubs, to ensure that they do not sell alcohol to minors, or offer cheap drink promotions that encourage binge drinking.