MY IRISH GNIB CARD

Remember when I had to get my Irish GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) Card? (Garda is the Irish Police Force here.) Well I got it in March of this year - a short 6 months ago. These cards are supposed to last a year. Mine expires at the end of this month. Yes, this month - September 2009. This. Month. But yet, I paid 150 euro for it - same as my husband. His lasted a year. Mine lasted 6 months. In fact, I've heard they are supposed to last even longer than a year. My friend's card is good for 2 years. ??????????? Oh, and did I mention that trying to get an appointment with the Garda is somewhat of a joke? My husband has been trying to get an appointment for 2 weeks. First, they never answered the phone. Finally he got the guy, but the guy said he wouldn't make an appointment, but for my husband to call back this week. He called back this week. The guy isn't there this week. He won't be back uhtil Monday. I went down there in person to sign us up today. I went at 2pm. The sign said they were closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm. No one was there. The door was closed and locked. The guy finally showed up at 2:45pm. By that time, there were 3 of us in line outside the door, and 3 more people had come and left. :0+ I have another US friend that has been trying for 2 weeks to get an appointment. They are leaving Ireland to go to the States next week. She said they may have to go into Dublin to get their card since they can't get anyone on the phone. To do that, you have to show up at 8am and wait in line. Sometimes you can wait HOURS. Well, we're signed up so hopefully we'll get a phone call Monday.