A full hearing of the Green Party challenge against criteria by RTÉ for its televised leaders' debate will take place on Thursday.

Their party leader Eamon Ryan was not invited because the Greens did not have at least three TDs in the outgoing Dáil.

RTÉ requires a party to have a minimum representation in the outgoing Dáil.

Today, the High Court was told it was an "urgent matter" because a live debate is scheduled for next Monday.

The party is fielding candidates in every county.

The party engaged with both RTÉ and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland - but felt it was left with no choice but to seek relief from the courts.