Irishness
Jacqueline received her Irish passport from the Embassy this morning. She’s now able to travel as a fully paid-up Irishwoman.
I wonder if having Irish passports will be an advantage in an independent Scotland come 2010? Come to think of it, we’ll be able to apply for a third (Scottish) passport each if Scotland does become independent (heaven forbid!). Handy for crossing the border at Gretna.
John | Family, Ireland, Scotland
When did she apply for it? Took a while didn’t it? I haven’t got round to applying for mine. I’ll only use it for non-work anyway.
She sent off the application around 3-4 weeks ago. Didn’t take very long.
Why are you worried about Scotland becoming independent?
@nobby, two reasons:
Like Bill Clinton said once, “it’s the economy, stupid” (no personal slur intended ;). I’m not at all convinced that an independent Scotland is independently viable - by that I mean can continue with the current levels of taxation and public spending. I am also suspicious of a party that openly flaunts green policies but bases the economy entirely on fossil fuel production.
I also have an innate fear of nationalism (think Ireland, Balkans, Spain/Catalonia/Basque) as it can so quickly become xenophobic. In particular the anti-English rhetoric of some of the extreme nationalists does frighten me.
OK, I get you. I’m English and based in Scotland myself. Well, at least if the SNP do get in foul up, we can all say ‘I told you so’ (by which time it’ll be too late, of course).