The Green Party claims RTE’s exclusion of Eamon Ryan from its upcoming leaders’ debates will damage the party’s chances in the election.

A trustee has brought a legal challenge to the broadcaster’s criteria, which includes a minimum requirement of outgoing TDs for participating parties.

Mr Ryan says his party has a track record in both national and local politics and would play an important role in the election debate, particularly on issues like climate change.

Tom Kivlehan, a trustee for the Greens, brought this action because he feels RTE is breaching its legal obligations and claims the criterion which excluded Mr Ryan from two upcoming debates is “unconstitutional”.

He has also questioned the participation of two of the seven invited leaders in next Monday’s televised debate, because their parties did not exist last time round.

Not including Mr Ryan will be "detrimental" to their campaign, he says.

RTE denies any wrongdoing, and insists the absence of some sort of cut-off point would have resulted in other parties and groupings to be included too.

Their barrister will be given an opportunity to expand on their defence when the case resumes in the morning.