The barrister representing the PAC members who questioned Angela Kerins in February 2014 has insisted they did have the power to ask about her salary.

The High Court is hearing a legal action taken by the former CEO of the Rehab Group who is seeking damages and other reliefs.

Angela Kerins’ legal action entered its sixth day today after a two-month break.

The three-judge court has been hearing submissions from Paul Gallagher who is representing members of the 2014 Public Accounts Committee.

He has been defending the line of questioning adopted by the spending watchdog when Ms. Kerins appeared before it in February of that year.

She claims the committee engaged in a “witch-hunt” and is seeking damages because she believes it acted beyond its powers.

Mr Gallagher told the court it was entitled to ask about her salary and issues of corporate governance because of the amount of State funding it received.

He went on to say they were relevant issues in light of revelations that only €10,000 profit was generated from €4m of sales of Rehab scratch cards.

The court was also reminded of the constitutional protection that covers free speech in both houses of the Oireachtas.