Updated 11.39

The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says his members will be putting forward a "robust defence" against Angela Kerins' legal action.

The former Rehab CEO was yesterday granted leave to seek a High Court injunction preventing her from being called before the PAC.

Ms Kerins claims the Committee acted "unfairly and unlawfully" when she appeared before it last February, causing her to lose her job and suffer illness.

Her lawyers claim the questions put to her by the Committee last February about her salary, her car and bonus entitlements suggest PAC was engaged in a witch hunt against her.

She claims the Committee acted beyond its remit and demonstrated bias. The High Court heard she suffered a collapse of health following her voluntary attendance five months ago.

However PAC Chairperson John McGuinnesss told Newstalk Breakfast that his members were simply doing their job.

The taxpayer could be asked to foot the bill if her legal bid is successful.

However, the Irish Times senior business correspondent - Tom Lyons -  told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk that she could also pursue individual PAC members for comments made outside the Committee.