I don't think there is anything wrong with Ryanairs procedures, I know there is a lot wrong with Spanish ATC in general and especially at ALC, at least at Malaga it controller on the job training monitored at ALC the guy on the radio at Andrewsfield has more idea what's going on.
With regards to 121.5 the only time I listen to that below 10K is outside controlled airspace or on simultaneous approaches at Paris.
LHR/LGW are very good, the Dutch are excellent in a relaxed having a spliff sort of way,but with the Spanish at times it like a Basil Fawlty sketch " it would be easier to train an ape"
The is a lot of bad blood between Southern European governments and FR but that's down to the boss not the drivers, you can't expect to get any lee way when you call the Spanish lazy tossers and your blamed for the melt down of their terms and conditions.