Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has called on Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour to withdraw their manifestos, claiming they were based on a lie.

Launching his party's campaign, Mr Adams said the figures on which they were based did not add-up and he claimed they had been "caught-out cooking the books".

Mr Adams said all of Sinn Féin's proposals were prudent, responsible and costed.

Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the Government had overestimated by about €2bn the amount available in the so-called fiscal space, or the amount of money available for the next government to play around with.

Gerry Adams called on FG, FF and LAB to withdraw their manifestos claiming they were 'caught-out cooking the books'https://t.co/HbYXxeYEsw — RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 5, 2016

"They tried to buy the electorate with election promises but their sums didn’t, and don’t, add-up," Mr Adams said.

"They’ve been caught-out cooking the books."

Mr Adams said the parties of "broken promises" have tried to dismiss Sinn Féin.

But, he said, they have been caught out at the very beginning of the campaign.

They have tried to buy the electorate with election promises, he said, "but their sums didn't and don't add up".

He said the parties are trying to claim credit for an economic recovery for which they are not responsible.

Mr Adams said the Taoiseach is refusing to answer questions on it.

He quoted Enda Kenny as saying: "I'm not going to get into economic jargon which the vast majority of people do not understand."

Mr Adams said: "So there you have it. According to the Taoiseach, the people are stupid."

Sinn Féin press conference underway in Dublin. Party leader Gerry Adams repeats his call for change #GE16https://t.co/mBNXfJnMG3 — RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 5, 2016

Mr Adams said the electorate had the opportunity to elect the first Sinn Féin-led government.

He said it was an opportunity to "elect a government that will end inequality and unfairness, to elect a government that will put the rights of citizens over the rights of the elites."

Asked who might support his party in government, he insisted the election would be a two-stage process with the people having their say in the first instance.