Taoiseach separates Yates smear comments from campaign training

Political commentator Ivan Yates faces scrutiny for coaching Fianna Fáil politicians, including Jim Gavin. The Taoiseach said Yates’s call for Fine Gael to run a smear campaign should not be linked to his training work. Under pressure, the party altered his role in Gavin’s campaign. Yates has also coached Micheál Martin and five Fianna Fáil ministers.