S.L. 545.1 Art. 83ANotification of appointments to install, etc., smart meters.

(1) Prior to installing or doing any other work relating to smart meters on the premises of a consumer, the distribution system operator shall notify in writing the consumer of the date of the appointment when such work shall be undertaken by the distribution system operator at the premises of the consumer:

Provided that in notifying an appointment, the distribution system operator shall endeavour to provide the consumer with an approximate indication of the time of the appointment.

(2) A notification of an appointment shall be communicated to the consumer at least four working days prior to the date proposed for the undertaking of the said works and shall clearly state the purpose of the appointment providing the consumer with contact details to communicate with a representative of the distribution system operator in case of queries.

(3) The consumer may request the distribution system operator to reschedule any such appointment: Provided that such a rescheduled appointment shall be held within a period of fifteen working days from the date of the appointment originally notified by the distribution system operator to the consumer:

Provided further that the consumer shall, under pain of nullity, communicate his request for a rescheduling at least two working days before the scheduled day for the appointment communicated to him by the distribution system operator.

(4) The consumer may request a rescheduling of the appointment beyond the period of fifteen working days if he provides the distribution system operator with written documentation which demonstrates that the consumer shall not be able to be present within such a period due to any of the following reasons:

(a) his ill-health conditions or those relating to a close family member;

(b) the death of a close family member;

(c) travel reasons;

(d) jury service;

(e) at the discretion of the Chairman:

Provided that in no instance may the consumer request a rescheduling beyond the period of sixty working days from the date of the original appointment.

(5) Where the consumer requests the distribution system operator to reschedule an appointment in any of the following instances:

(a) between 8.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on any day from Monday to Friday, not being a public holiday, and not beyond the period of fifteen working days of the first scheduled visit, the distribution system operator shall not issue any charges;

(b) between 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm on any day from Monday to Friday not being a public holiday, or between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm on a Saturday, as long as the appointment is not beyond the period of fifteen working days of the first scheduled visit, the distribution system operator may issue a charge equivalent to an after hours fee of €10; and, or

(c) between 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 pm on a Sunday or a public holiday, or beyond the period of fifteen working days of the first notified visit, the distribution system operator may issue a charge equivalent to an after hours fee of €25.

(6) The consumer shall be refunded any after hours fee paid to the distribution system operator for an appointment held in accordance with this regulation if the consumer requested rescheduling because of any of the following:

(a) performance of jury service;

(b) a court summons;

(c) travel abroad;

(d) a previously scheduled medical appointment, whether of the consumer or of a close family member who needs to be accompanied by the consumer;

(e) where the consumer is undergoing medical treatment or a close family member is undergoing medical treatment which necessitates the presence of the consumer; or

(f) at the discretion of the Chairman:

Provided that in any of the instances listed in this sub-regulation, the distribution system operator may require the consumer to furnish proof as it may reasonably require to substantiate the reason why the consumer is requesting a rescheduling of the appointment.

(7) Without prejudice to the provisions of this regulation, an appointment scheduled in accordance with this regulation which is not honored by the consumer shall, for the purposes of these regulations, be considered to be an unsuccessful scheduled visit.