Sir, – As an Irishman living in Madrid I have been advised that the time required to renew my Irish passport is from eight to 10 weeks. This is compared to four days for my French counterparts living in Spain and one day for the local Spaniards. How does this situation tie in exactly with the Gathering which we ex-pats are constantly barraged about if we can’t even get ourselves home not to mind our families and friends?
I have also been informed in this very same week of the possible delay of up to six months in the coroner’s office with regard to the issuing of a death certificate for my recently deceased mother.
Would it be therefore fair to say that in light of these experiences and the recent sweltering weather that Ireland has truly become a fully fledged banana state? – Yours, etc,
ALAN MORAN,
Calle Nuncio,
Madrid, Spain.