Fury in Fianna Fáil over Ivan Yates' involvement in presidential campaign

Party refuses to answer questions about hiring Ivan Yates to provide training to its presidential candidate, Jim Gavin

Broadcaster and former Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates. One Fianna Fáil backbencher said: 'Ivan Yates’ undisclosed involvement is serious. It raises more questions.' File picture: Gerard McCarthy 

Fianna Fáil has refused to answer questions about hiring Ivan Yates to provide debate training to presidential election candidate Jim Gavin.

It comes amid renewed anger in the party about Mr Yates' involvement in the election campaign and another poor poll, which saw Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s popularity drop by 10 points to 33% in the space of four weeks.