Lawyers for the Public Accounts Committee have told the High Court that former Rehab CEO Angela Kerins could have walked out of the committee's hearing two years ago if she was unhappy with the line questioning.
The submission was made at the resumed hearing of Ms Kerins' High Court action for damages against the PAC.
Ms Kerins claims she was bullied, persecuted and subjected to a witch-hunt by the Public Accounts Committee during its inquiry into Rehab's finances in 2014.
In her High Court action she wants damages for personal injury, loss of reputation and her career.
Today lawyers for the PAC said the courts have no jurisdiction to rule on words spoken in the houses of the Oireachtas.
Senior counsel Paul Gallagher said this freedom was protected by the Constitution.
President of the High Court Mr Justice Peter Kelly asked Mr Gallagher if he was contending that it did not matter if the words could "bruise, wound or destroy, be without foundation or utterly untrue, that was the price we pay for freedom of speech in parliament".
Mr Gallagher agreed but said there were a number of protections in place.
He said attendance at the PAC hearing was voluntary and Ms Kerins could also have walked out if she believed the questions were unfair.
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Ms Kerins appeared before the PAC for seven hours in February 2014 but was unable to attend a resumed hearing of the committee due to ill health.
The court has previously heard that following her appearance before the committee she attempted to take her own life.
In her claim for damages she alleges the PAC acted unlawfully and went beyond its powers in its questioning of her.
Lawyers for the PAC have argued the committee was entitled to question her as 80% of Rehab's funding came from the State.
The court case continues tomorrow.
