Businessman Denis O'Brien has begun a legal action against the State arising from speeches and remarks made in the Dáil about his banking affairs with State-owned Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

His lawyers told the President of the High Court today, that he wanted an early directions hearing in the case.

Mr O'Brien is seeking various declarations arising from speeches made in the Dáil, under privilege, by Independent TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty.

It is understood Mr O'Brien will argue the effect of their remarks was to decide in whole or in part the separate proceedings taken by him and IBRC against RTÉ and that the TDs' remarks amounted to interference with the operation of the courts.

It is also understood he will argue that permitting the utterances to be made amounted to a breach of his rights under the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights.

Senior Counsel, Michael Cush told Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns that the proceedings were against the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, Ireland and the Attorney General.

He said his side wanted declarations in relation to matters mentioned in the context of Mr O'Brien's other proceedings against RTÉ.

Mr Cush said he was making an inquiry as to whether the court would facilitate an early hearing of an application for directions concerning the hearing of latest proceedings.

A statement of claim would be issued very soon, he said.

Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns said it was not usual to hold a directions hearing prior to the issuing of a summons and the court would list the matter for 1 July when it would hear from both sides.