The Sinn Féin leader has said this could be a historic and watershed election with a result that could be seismic for the Irish political landscape.

Speaking at a rally in Letterkenny this evening, Mary Lou McDonald said communities have responded to Sinn Féin's message for change and that next week’s poll could be the "most important election in a generation".

She told the crowd of about 300 supporters that there is a groundswell for change and that people want to give Sinn Fein a chance, saying: "History is upon us. Change is in the air."

Ms McDonald also said that what she called "project fear" and "project exclusion" is under way.

The Sinn Fein leader has said RTE have "called it wrong" by excluding her from this weeks leaders debate and that she hopes they reverse their decision. In Buncrana @MaryLouMcDonald said the broadcaster has a duty to ensure fairness, balance and a inclusive democratic debate pic.twitter.com/hxak0keItO — Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) February 2, 2020

She accused Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and what she described as "their allies" as trying "spook and horrify" those considering voting Sinn Féin for the first time.

She said they were making "jaded and monotonous:" attack and the party and accused them of lies, spin and sensationalism

She said she expects the attacks from Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin to intensify in the coming days.

And she said RTÉ is failing in its duty as a public service broadcaster.

She said the broadcaster should reverse their decision to exclude Sinn Féin from the leaders' debate instead of facilitating what she said "amounts to advertisement for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil four days before the election".

She said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had spent decades in power serving their own interest and plotting to hold on to power rather than serving the people but she said her party is different.

Earlier today, the Sinn Féin leader has said her party's performance in the polls "reflects the energy and momentum for Sinn Féin and for change".

But Ms McDonald said she is not going to presume anything until the people have their say.

She said she would take nothing for granted and there is still a week left in the election campaign.

The latest Business Post/Red C poll suggests that Sinn Féin has increased its support and is now tied in first place with Fianna Fáil.

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin to set out her party's core priorities for government, Ms McDonald said she wanted to encourage people to use their vote and "transfer for change".

She said she could only answer questions about what ministries Sinn Féin might occupy in a government or if they should have ran more candidates in this election after the votes are counted.

Ms McDonald said she believes there is an understanding that Sinn Féin are on the peoples' side.

"We have the policies, we have the people and what we are asking the electorate now is to give us a chance and judge us on our deliver," she said.

She also said that asking for a chance does not suggest it is an issue of trust with Sinn Féin.

She said her party have been reasonable, practical and constructive and has no intention of propping up bad government.

.@PearseDoherty says voters are responding to his party's policies which is reflected in all recent polls. #rtetwip #GE2020 #rtepolitics pic.twitter.com/VAGzs6VtWb — The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) February 2, 2020

Ms McDonald said the best possible outcomes is a government without Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

She said reducing and freezing rents, restoring the State pension age to 65 and delivering the biggest public housing programme in history were among their top priorities.

So too is abolishing UCS on the first €30,000 earned; a referendum on Irish unity and changes to insurance and conditions for careers and those with disabilities.