Fine Gael has proposed a general ban on price increases above the rate of inflation for utilities such as gas, electricity and other utilities, as part of a package of measures aimed at improving consumer protection in the State.
The party has also promised a major reform of the current regulatory system for these areas, which the party has claimed is actually helping to drive up prices rather than curtail them.
The measures are contained in a five-point consumer charter, which Fine Gael is promising to implement if elected to government at the general election later this year.
The party also used the launch to highlight rises in toll fees, public transport ticket prices, exam fees and Vat charges.
Speaking at the launch, Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton claimed the rises were because of Government policy and inaction.
"We are now the most expensive country in Europe," he said. "Ireland is a graveyard for consumers."
The party claimed its charter would redress what it described as an imbalance against consumer rights.
The charter includes a legal requirement for compensation of at least one day's free service for customers, if there is a service breakdown of three hours or more in electricity, gas, telephone or internet utilities.
The Dáil and Seanad would also be given the power to order regulators to carry out a price review, and Fine Gael yesterday claimed such a power may have prevented the 30 per cent rise proposed for gas, which was then reduced to 20 per cent.
Utility price rises would have to be kept to at or below the rate of inflation, "unless a clear public-interest case can be proven".
The party also wants reform of the National Consumer Agency, which it described as being "weak and toothless".