The Green Party said it will not attempt to stop an RTÉ leaders' debate from going ahead - regardless of the outcome of their legal action.

Eamon Ryan's party has launched a High Court challenge after RTÉ revealed they would not be allowed take part in a live TV debate next Monday.

The State broadcaster said the Greens were excluded because they had less than three TDs in the outgoing Dáil.

However the criteria used to vet participants will be questioned by the Green Party's legal team when the case is heard on Thursday.

Eamon Ryan said that they will not attempt to stop the debate - no matter what the outcome.

"Our wish is to open up the debate - we won't injunct debate at any time," he said.

"But we are looking to the high Court to actually put fairness back into the debate."