What are you smoking Mike Poulsen!?, Do you think the Government could put on a course for Citizenship and information for the English people to explain how the UK and Great Britain is organized there seems to be great confusion here or is it just bloody mindedness .

Peter K, Vancouver BC., Canada

This story has little or nothing to do with Portugal or Northern Ireland or drink. It has to do with us, everywhere. This Comments section might suggest society is working – it offers the opportunity to disassociate ourselves from the miserable whilst vowing to be the better citizen – but I fear not. This section of the paper suggests instead that we have lost sight of distance and the individual - we succumb to the manic work of three sub-groups (journalist/editor/participative reader) combining to portray horrible incidents as a composition, a whole, on a canvas creating A NIGHTMARE. Have we all absolutely lost it and are condemned to a place on a long, dark tunneled conveyor belt moving inexorably THE WRONG WAY? The diabolical Austrian, the murdered Scottish boys, the drunken Ulsterman and hapless children. Incidents. To be tried in a newspaper by you.

Hugo Stronge, Vale Janelas,

This incident seems unusual to me. How do we know that they were not drugged by someone planning on robbing them or maybe raping the wife? They should have been tested for evidence of the so-called "date-rape drug. People need to be careful when they are in a foreign country.

Jburnette, Brownsville, USA

The incident was reported on RTE as if they were Irish, which they are. Most of us gave up on Ulster years ago, they've cost us hundreds of millions for 40 years, as well as thousands of dead and injured. About time drink was limited, most can't handle it.

Phil de Buquet, Newport,

Absolutely the worst thing about my London expat years is dodging pools of vomit on the pavements (and once ON top of my regular ATM) on Sunday mornings. The drinking culture cuts across all classes and is repulsive and disgusting. And before you say -- yes, I'm on my way home soon.

sylvia, Belgravia, UK

I think you mean, "English tourists in Portugal again"

If by 'again' you are referring to the McCann's, Mr McCann is not English but Scottish. Maybe next time you're making cynical comments you could pay attention to detail.

Tom Moncrieff, London, England

Good responsible parents eh? Whatever happened to them?Don't you just feel desperately sorry for the children?

Dave Madley - There weren't an embarrassment they were an absolute disgrace. Can you imagine how they are raising their children? You would turn grey at the very thought.

judy, Liverpool, England

Whatever else they may be they are not British. They do belong to the UK, which is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

If they're ot citizens of Great Britain then they cannot be British. QED

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

Yes the parents actions were appalling. At least they were ashamed though. I hope they have learned a valuable lesson and wont get so drunk again, especially in the sun. There are thousands of British people who do this and think it it is normal behaviour. Sad thing is it is becoming 'the norm'

john, bath,

"Typical....Portugal again?" What do you mean?
Thank God it was Portugal....

Helena Patrão
Portugal

Helena Patrão, Torres Vedras, Portugal

I guess the Portuguese police is not letting another Madeleine happen. Good for them!

Victor D., Athens, Greece

"tatoo, body piercing and rotwieller brigade

Somehow, I don't think that fits the profile here. The father was a manager in the Ulster bank, not a position you get to if you're typically unreliable and prone to making daft decisions.

Deborah, Belfast, Antrim

Both parents were the victims of their own compulsion and obssession. They are alcoholics. I hope they touched bottom and react. Both of them need rehabilitation. I would suggest a 28 a-day-program with at least 11 months follow up and strict vigilance abd care for their children. A A - UK.

Jerry Cleaves , Guatemala , Guatemala, C.A.

Surely you mean "typical...brits again ?"

joao dass, macau,

The loss of the traditional family, disciplined schools, and orderly streets, has bred an element that sees no need to control itself , and now runs amok. I suppose we have to rely on foreign authorities to put a stop to their worst excesses. Let us hope they find new homes for the children.

D Mason, Brighton, England

British abroad, forever an embarassment, take a visit to Tenerife and see the "tatoo, body piercing and rotwieller brigade", who start boozing at breakfast time.
A Scotsman.

Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain

Mathijs,

Careful! I think you will find they are from Northern Ireland which means they are certainly not English, maybe British, probably Irish?

David, Moira, Northern Ireland or the North?

Thank heavens the Portugese staff were there to rescue the poor children! If they had been in self catering appartments it could have ended in a terrible distaster!
The parents deserve to face prosecution and should be throughly ashamed of themselves.

Faith, Worcestershire, UK

I think you mean, "English tourists in Portugal again"

Actually they are from Northern Ireland.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

I read this whilst watching a BBC World Service programme on the British Army fighting in Helmand Province. Such a stunning contrast. What a sad state Britain has reached. Soldiers fighting and dying to defend the right of drunken Britain to disgrace itself.
What will destroy Sparta? Luxury.

adrian leitch, Lira , Uganda

And of course, in the eyes of many, they still are by definition better parents than my and me husband simply because they are heterosexual....

robert Barron, vancouver, bC, CANADA

"typical...portugal again?"

I think you mean, "English tourists in Portugal again"

Mathijs van den Bergh, Dubai, UAE

Seems to me, the portugese reacted very responsibly in this case. The parents should be very ashamed of themselves, I feel sorry for their children.

Chris, Geneva, Switzerland

typical...portugal again?

Mo Beckley, Westcliff-on-Sea, UK