TDs have officially agreed to instruct a legal team to defend a legal challenge taken by Angela Kerins.

The former Rehab chief executive is taking legal action against TDs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over its investigations into her management of Rehab and its financial affairs.

Oireachtas authorities can now instruct a legal team to defend the members of the PAC.

However, the legal team will only defend TDs on issues relating to their role as parliamentarians - and not on any comments made outside Leinster House.