Ivan Yates gave training to Jim Gavin as well as two Fianna Fáil ministers

A pair of Fianna Fáil ministers have confirmed that they also received media training from Ivan Yates

A spokeswoman for Newstalk confirmed to the Irish Examiner that Ivan Yates' participation in programming during the election is now under review. File picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

TV host and former minister Ivan Yates provided two training sessions to Fianna Fáil presidential election candidate Jim Gavin, the party has confirmed.

However, Fianna Fáil said that Mr Yates, who over the weekend was dropped from the Path To Power podcast by co-host Matt Cooper, was never involved in the aborted campaign of the former Dublin GAA manager.

Having over the weekend declined to confirm that Mr Yates had worked on the Gavin campaign, Fianna Fáil issued a statement on Monday saying: "Like all political parties, Fianna Fáil has for many years used the services of media skills consultants. 

"The party currently works with a number of providers, all on an ad-hoc basis.

"In relation to the recent presidential campaign, the party retained the services of Ivan Yates to provide interview and debate training. The focus of the training was on the practicalities of in-studio interviews and was centred on preparations for two specific programmes.

"Ivan provided two sessions in the early stage of the campaign, between the period 23 September to 29 September.

"There was no further training or intervention provided after 29 September.

"Ivan’s training totalled approximately four hours. He did not provide any campaign advice, nor was he involved in the campaign team."

Mr Gavin ended his campaign on October 5 following revelations that he owed a former tenant €3,300.

A pair of Fianna Fáil ministers have confirmed that they also received media training from Mr Yates.

Spokespeople for both housing minister James Browne and his predecessor in that role, current transport minister Darragh O'Brien, on Monday confirmed that they had received training sessions from Mr Yates.

A spokesperson for Mr O'Brien said that the training was in the last government term, while Mr Browne's spokesperson said he had received interview preparation training from Mr Yates since his appointment in January. 

The spokespeople said that Mr Yates has not advised on strategy or policy.

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Newstalk confirmed to the Irish Examiner that Mr Yates' participation in programming during the election is now under review. He was a co-host on the podcast Calling It, which focused on the election.

"Ivan Yates operated as a cover presenter on Newstalk for three days during the presidential campaign on September 23, 24 and 25 from 9am to 12pm," she said.

"Ivan Yates also appeared on a Newstalk podcast relating to the presidential campaign, the first episode of which was published on October 9.

"Ivan Yates did not inform Newstalk of any conflict of interest relating to the presidential election campaign. This matter is currently under review by Newstalk management."

A spokesperson for RTÉ confirmed it has asked Mr Yates about his involvement in Fianna Fáil's campaign but said the national broadcaster was satisfied no election guidelines had been breached.

He took part in two "pre-election" media contributions but did not appear on any shows between Coimisiún na Meán election period between September 22 and the close of polls on October 24.

"In the post-election period, Mr Yates was interviewed during the 'live' count coverage in Dublin Castle on October 25," the spokesperson said.