Cheers PCA (and Pure),
I was aware of the FUP, but as they were limiting it in peak hours anyway I just kept emule connected 24hrs! This did result in connection problems if I attemted to even check my email (I couldn't even find my homepage!!! - hence the 'less than dial up' connection that you mentioned)...
I emailed Tiscali and asked them if they were limiting my OFF-peak speeds (as it was against their own t&c if they were) and told them the problems I had been having for a week or so and of course I received a reply stating that they weren't limiting me... BUT coincidently enough my connection speed suddenly sped up about a day prior to their reply!
I looked into Tiscali blocking selected ports and they are apparently blocking the most common ones used for P2P (as I mentioned, the message on here was my last port of call - excuse the pun!

)
I do have a connection, although a slowish one. I may try the change of ports though... ta for that suggestion!
Unfortunately I've only just joined Tiscali (about last November) after being on sorry dial-up for a few years (and not with tiscali) - obviously it's a one year contract, which I can pay up if I wish... but I may as well see it through to the end (or close to it!)