Fianna Fáil has tonight reiterated that it supports the decriminalising of drug possession for personal use.
The proposal, which is contained in the party's manifesto, was described by Fine Gael as astonishing.
Fianna Fáil said the pledge was in line with a recommendation of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, which proposed a health-led approach in these cases.
However, Fianna Fáil has indicated tonight that this decriminalisation plan is unlikely to include Class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin although it has not made a final decision on the matter.
The party manifesto had simply stated that it would "decriminalise drug possession for personal use."
Fianna Fáil is also pledging to increase the State pension to €350 per week over the lifetime of the next Government if it is returned to office.
The measure is contained in the party's General Election manifesto "Moving Forward Together," which was launched this morning.
The document, which runs to almost 200 pages, vows to help families and business cope with high prices, to provide greater investment in health and education, to build more homes along with supports for first-time buyers and renters, and to protect the economy.
There is a commitment to increase core welfare rates by €12 annually, along with a promise to continue cutting the cost of public services.
The party says it would reduce fees to €200 a month for each child in childcare and would go further if economic circumstances allow.
Watch: Manifesto in a minute - Fianna Fáil
The party wants to bring energy prices in line with EU average prices by investing more than €2 billion more in renewable energy and changing how energy prices are set.
In health, there is a proposal to significantly expand the number of hospital beds, consultants and GPs.
There would be further cuts to health charges including extending the free GP card to all under-12s.
The party wants to build 60,000 homes per year from 2030 and it says it will protect and expand supports for first time buyers up to 2030.
There is a pledge to build an average of 10,000 affordable homes every year.
An additional €3bn would be invested in Irish Water to upgrade water services across the country which would allow for the building of more homes.
The party is committing to double the rent tax credit for renters and will introduce a tax credit for gym membership.
There is a pledge to increase the entry point at which workers pay the higher rate of tax to at least €50,000 and the lower rate of USC would fall from 3% to 1.5%.
Up to 5,000 gardaí would be recruited over the next five years and there would be an increase in the number of prison officers too under this plan.
Fianna Fáil is also proposing a new Department of Domestic Affairs which will be responsible for national security.
This includes counter terrorism, cybersecurity, migration, border control and human trafficking.
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Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee issued a statement criticising Fianna Fáil's election manifesto which she said is "full of bizarre costings" and "back of the matchbox-style politics which could cost Ireland's economic progress".
Responding to criticism of Fianna Fáil's election manifesto by Ms McEntee, the party said all costings were provided by the Department of Finance and relevant government departments.
A Fianna Fáil spokesperson said every income and spending proposal is accounted for and the economic assumptions were provided by the Department of Finance.
"As the only party to have proposed a full manifesto, we are the only party which has set out its full range of proposals and the fiscal and economic background.
"It has been clear in recent days that some in Fine Gael headquarters need to calm down. They've been on the back foot since it was revealed that they want to increase all energy bills and are looking for a distraction.
"We look forward to seeing their manifesto rather than the policy soundbites they and Sinn Féin have been focused on," the spokesperson said.
Political parties will be publishing a range of policy papers today as their leaders continue to campaign across the country ahead of the General Election.
Independent candidates will also be explaining their policies to the electorate, on what is the third full day of campaigning.
Polling takes place on Friday 29 November.
