What rights do I have if a tradesman does not keep an arranged 
appointment(telephone on one occasion, written on another) to do work
in my home?  Can I get compo for time I took off work and time I
wasted waiting in for them? Can I legally deduct cash for time wasted?
What effect does it have if the work was started, not completed
properly and I have paid a deposit but not the full amount?  The
company concerned is a gas installer recommended by Bord Gais  Can I
be sued if I drive my car with a sign saying 'I do not recommend X to
install your gas central heating? Contact with the installer just
results in excuses.

Hi,

I guess that you are in 'Southern' Ireland (my Grandpa came from
Cork). Me? I live in England.

Unreliable tradesmen are a huge problem here and (I guess) everywhere.

The short answer may well be that there's not much that you can do.

Don't even think of 'suing' ... It's only the lawyers who benefit.

I had similar problems with my first plumber when I was refurbishing
my house a few years ago ... from a guy who came well recommended.
(Great ones are as scarce as hen's teeth.)

It's no comfort but Welcome to the Club.

Bryan