Former Fine Gael minister Alan Shatter has urged Taoiseach Micheál Martin to clarify the scope of Ivan Yates’ role in Fianna Fáil’s Presidential Election campaign.
It emerged yesterday that Mr Yates had offered some advice to Fianna Fáil’s candidate, Jim Gavin, reports RTE.
Attention has now turned to the party itself and to the extent of Fianna Fáil’s awareness of the advice given by Mr Yates to Mr Gavin.
So far, the party has not disclosed the nature of the guidance or the degree of approval or oversight it had regarding the former Fine Gael minister’s involvement, reports RTE.
Mr Yates was removed as co-host of a political podcast after it was revealed that he failed to declare his advisory role with Mr Gavin.
When contacted for comment, Mr Yates declined to respond, reports RTE.
Mr Shatter has called on the Taoiseach to explain why this link was not made public before polling day.
He said that Mr Martin had a duty to ensure voters were fully informed, reports RTE.
Mr Shatter also said that Fine Gael was unfairly accused of attempting to smear president-elect Catherine Connolly based on remarks made by Mr Yates.
RTÉ asked Yates why he did not disclose involvement with the campaign, reports RTE.
Mr Ivan Yates was not employed by RTÉ as a presenter during the Coimisiún na Meán election period, nor did he contribute to any RTÉ programmes during that time, according to an official statement from the broadcaster.
The election regulations of Coimisiún na Meán were in effect from 22 September until the close of polling on 24 October, reports RTE.
RTÉ said a variety of guests appeared across its television and radio programmes during the campaign period.
Before the election, Mr Yates was interviewed twice: on 14 August on Prime Time following Mairead McGuinness’s withdrawal, and again on 2 September on Morning Ireland to discuss the Fine Gael nomination process, reports RTE.
After polling day, Mr Yates appeared during the live count coverage from Dublin Castle on 25 October, and was also interviewed on Prime Time on 28 October.
“RTÉ relies on the professional bona fides of those invited to declare if they have a conflict of interest with respect to any candidate or party, if that would not be publicly known, reports RTE.”
“Mr Yates was well established as a media commentator since leaving politics, reports RTE.”
“RTÉ has asked Mr Yates why he did not disclose his involvement with one campaign, reports RTE.”
“Had RTÉ been informed by Mr Yates, we would have advised him that this would have to be disclosed to the audience, if he was to participate in any programme, reports RTE.”
“RTÉ is satisfied there was no breach of the election guidelines,” the statement added, reports RTE.
The RTÉ Election Steering Group manages election coverage planning concerning candidates and parties, though the selection of guests is determined by individual programmes.
Meanwhile, in a statement this afternoon, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson said: “As a matter of policy, the party does not confirm the existence or otherwise of any relationships with suppliers or contractors,” reports RTE.
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy said Fianna Fáil must answer questions but added that the communications regulator might also need to assess the broadcasting work Mr Yates undertook during the campaign.
“We have regulations around fairness and impartiality that affect broadcasters,” Mr Brophy said, reports RTE.
“And we need to look at the work which Ivan Yates did and the comments he was making, which will be made in the context of someone who was involved in campaign which nobody listening at the time knew,” he said, reports RTE.
“And I think that’s something that a number of broadcasters and maybe the regulator will need to look at,” he added.
He said that if Mr Yates failed to declare his campaign involvement to broadcasters, it raised serious concerns, reports RTE.
Mr Brophy also expressed surprise that no one within Fianna Fáil had made the connection known, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
