Sir, - A favourite target of ridicule in France is the bureaucracy of government departments (municipal, regional or state). Legendary tales are told of queuing for half a day just to hand in an application for a resident's permit, and another half day to collect it; or having to provide five photographs, passport, birth certificate, proof of address and letter from mother to apply for a driving licence (I was that soldier).
As a foreigner living in France, I have allowed myself to laugh at these incidents - afterwards - as I assured my French, friends that things are more efficient in my own country. In general, they are. Recently, however, the same friends were amused to hear that when it comes to red tape, we too have our moments.
I contacted the Irish Embassy in Paris to have my passport renewed, and was told that the procedure was the me as for a new passport application. In other words, I had to have my identity verified by a priest, bank manager, police officer or other such pillar of society.
Would my, existing valid Irish passport suffice as proof of identity? Incredibly, the answer was no. The Irish Embassy would not accept an Irish passport issued in Dublin - as proof of the identity of an Irish citizen. I had to find an important person to declare that they knew me person ally and believed me to be who I said I was. They would, of course, look at my current passport, compare the photograph in it to me, and thereby be convinced. If I did not know such a person in France, I was told, I would have to send in my form and photographs to someone in Ireland, to have them signed. (How can this make sense since the witness must declare that I have signed the form in their presence?)
If the French authorities can trust the information contained in my, passport in, order to issue me with an identity card, it escapes me completely why the Irish Embassy cannot do likewise. I realise, of course, that the embassy officials did not write the rules - some genius in the Department of Foreign Affairs deserves credit for that - so I do not blame them. indeed the official who dealt with my ease was helpful and sympathetic. My passport was processed and ready for collection within, a day of receipt of my application, with only one spelling mistake in my name. The correct version was prepared in about ten minutes while I waited.
I have compared notes with holders of French, British, German and Swiss passports, all tell me that a simple exchange of old for new is the procedure. Can anyone give me a credible explanation for the nonsense we have to go through? Unfortunately, I may miss any replies as The Irish Times is not widely or regularly available here, at best, it is a day late and costs the equivalent of £2.50. It's not easy being pail of the cherished diaspora! - Yours etc.
St. Denis,
Paris.