Controversy over coaching provided by broadcaster and former Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates to Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign has sparked an internal Government row and fallout over his media work during the election. He said Fianna Fáil could not “just dismiss” questions about the media training work Mr Yates did with Jim Gavin. Mr Yates sparked a campaign-trail controversy when he suggested that were he working with Fine Gael, he would “smear the bejaysus” out of Independent candidate Catherine Connolly. A Fine Gael spokesman said it has not used Mr Yates for media training or similar work. Mr Yates did not respond to a request for comment.

Source: The Irish Times November 02, 2025 19:00 UTC