The Portuguese consulate in Bermuda, which has been closed for more than two weeks, is to re-open today.

Eddie DeMello, a prominent member of the Portuguese community, said people have been frustrated in their attempts to deal with visa and passport issues while the consulate has been out of action.

He has been lobbying the government in Portugal to get it reopened, and has now been informed that will happen after the weekend.

Mr. DeMello said Portugal had recently closed a number of consulates across the world and there were fears among the local community that the Island's could be permanently scaled down.

"We have a large Portuguese community," said Mr. DeMello. "These people have been trying to get their visas and passports, but they have been getting really fed up."