Real action you can take. See below...
I got IrishBroadband (Breeze 2MB) installed in Sep '05. Took a few weeks between sign-up and install, but once completed I was very happy with the connection. I work from home and use it a lot and had no problems. That was until mid Nov when it failed completely. It seems to be a problem with the aerial on the roof.
I reported the problem immediately and it still isn't fixed (now over 2 months later). I've spent many hours on the phone to tech support, left messages with the Customer Services Manager and made an official complaint via their advertised mechanism. None of these things has helped. IrishBroadband scheduled three visits to fix the problem. On two of those occasions they didn't show up. On one occasion they did, but couldn't fix it because they couldn't get on the roof as it was raining.
So hit them where it hurts... I've cancelled the Direct Debit. I've also discovered that their accounts admin is as poorly organised as their maintenance department. Under the Direct Debit scheme they are required to give 14 days notice prior to applying each monthly debit to your account. This they have not done. Hence I have requested my bank to reverse all the payments that have been made (except the first which is usually authorised in a different way). I had the money back within two days. Now IrishBroadband call me, which is an improvement, although I'm still not holding my breath that they'll fix it.
Anyway, if you're having trouble with them, check the date on the invoices they email you (the date on the invoice itself, not the date you received it (strange but true)). If that date is less than 14 days before the corresponding payment went out, they've broken the terms of the Direct Debit agreement and you're entitled to a refund.
For further info check out
http://www.ipso.ie/frames/IrishPayme...ganisation.htm. The document on that page entitled 'Full Scheme Rules (50 pages) Version 4.13' has all the details. Page 12 covers what I've discussed above, and the preceeding pages have other background info. Suggest you print page 12 and take it with you when you go to the bank so that they don't try and fob you off.
Vote with your €€€€s!
P.S. You'll probably technically still owe IrishBroadband the money (at least for any period you had a working service) so don't go spending it just yet. Simply be as proactive with arranging alternative payment as they are with fixing your problem. In my case I want recompense for the missed appointments and a few sweetners if they want to keep me as a customer. I still liked it when it worked but a 50% availability is criminal.