Sir, – Simon Harris is quoted as saying “government departments and State agencies too often avoid responsibility and leave the public facing bureaucracy that is designed ‘around everybody and everything but the citizen’” (News, August 31st).
I spent 2½ years filling forms, supplying documents, and yet more documents, to apply to become an Irish citizen. I was thrilled to receive my naturalisation certificate and quickly applied for my Irish passport. I soon received a request for lots of documentation once again, some a copy of the last lot, with yet more bills proving who I am, where I live, who I live with, etc.
Frustrated and bemused, I rang the department concerned and indicated that I had given them my naturalisation certificate, which proved that I had already submitted all this information already.
The reply: “That was the Department of Justice. This is the Department of Foreign Affairs.” – Yours, etc,
The welcome I received from Jennifer Johnston is something I will never forget
Oscars 2026: Will Hamnet with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley get a best picture nomination?
‘My son is getting married in the summer, and the likelihood is that I’m going to be able to see that’
Is it true that women need more sleep each night than men?
KATIE WOOLLETT,
Dublin 4.
