Letterkenny/Milford Community Candidate in the forthcoming local election Donal Cullen has hit out at Eircom for its handling of direct debit payments and its failure to ensure that the correct processing system was in place for it’s customers. 
This began when the Dansk Bank was shut down and customers had to transfer their business to other banks.
Eircom sent bills to customers who were affected by the change over and stated clearly that their telephone bills, broadband etc, had been paid by direct debit.
It has now emerged, however, that this is not the case and that the company failed to collect any payments since January.
Eircom blamed this failure on a systems error and said it was the result of the implementation of the Single European Payments Area.
Little comfort to thousands of customers who have had their telephones disconnected and also have to pay arrears.
Cullen said, “It’s an absolute disgrace how Eircom have treated their loyal customers over this matter.
“Up to 30,000 customers nationwide are now deemed to be in arrears and are facing bills of up to £500 despite the fact that Eircom is totally to blame for this debacle.
“Several people have approached me and have told me that they had no problem with direct debit payment to any other company since their bank change except Eircom.
“It is ironic that a communications company would make such disastrous mess in communicating with its customers.
“A charge of an unpaid direct debit incurs a charge of £15 per customer.
“Eircom now have the audacity to disconnect customers whose payments were not collected by the company and further more they will be charged for reconnection.
“This adds up to a huge intake of monies for Eircom.
Cullen concluded, “Yet again our political representatives have kept very quiet on this very serious matter that is affecting such a large number of people.
“These are the real issues affecting people. It seems that at every turn people are being asked to pay more charges, bills and taxes.
“I call on Eircom to communicate with their affected customers in a positive manner and to guarantee at least that no reconnection charges will be sought as a result of this fiasco, he added.