Ivan Yates controversy distracts from wider Fianna Fáil issues

James Cox

Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Path to Power fallout

Path to Power, the political podcast co-hosted by Matt Cooper and (formerly) Ivan Yates, was just taking off when controversy has ended the partnership.

Mr Yates' failure to disclose media training he conducted with Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin was the issue that blew up the pair's working relationship.

The former agriculture minister failed to declare his work with Mr Gavin while discussing the presidential election on Path to Power.

Mr Cooper came straight out on the offensive. He did a number of media interviews while Mr Yates remained silent, and even referred to Mr Yates' bankruptcy.

He told the Irish Independent: "I think there is a psychological thing going back to his bankruptcy. His whole modus operandi since is that he wants to make as much money as he can to put himself in a good financial position… he doesn’t seem able to turn down anything. He also doesn’t know when he has a good thing and he doesn’t stick to it. He’s walked away from countless jobs, in Newstalk, Virgin Media, and now he’s done it to us. He seems to want to blow things up when they’re successful.”

Mr Yates broke his silence on Monday, and wished Mr Cooper and the podcast well.

In line with previous comments in which he has reiterated he is not a journalist, Mr Yates also insisted he had done nothing wrong.

“I tell you what I’m really good at, and with the podcast, I am the best back-channeler in the business because politicians speak to me because I’m not a journalist.

“They can trust me because I understand and I empathise with politicians, I even like politicians.

“And so therefore I was getting material that ‘Ivan, this is your opinion, you didn’t hear from me’, and that was the X Factor, the gossipy nature of it.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with David McCullagh, he said his “hundreds of” clients “have to rely on the fact that I won’t go blabbing about my previous coaching”.

He said his coaching involved a “simulation and a rehearsal” of a broadcast interview .

“My job has nothing to do with policy, and it’s actually being kind of pushed across as the week has gone on, that I’m a spin doctor for Fianna Fáil.

“I have no involvement in their strategy, no involvement in their policy manifesto.”

He also criticised "double standards" in the media.

“The backdrop was they were very upset about me leaving the podcast,” he said.

“I have nothing to say about Matt Cooper except to wish Path to Power well,” he said.

“All week, the media tried to dance on my grave,” he said, adding: “I know of no other business that is so riddled with conflict of interests.”

While the Yates controversy will blow over soon, it distracts from the wider issues in Fianna Fáil.

Fianna Fáil unrest

Mr Yates' involvement with Mr Gavin's campaign and other senior Fianna Fáil ministers is unlikely to go down well with disgruntled backbenchers in the party.

While Taoiseach Micheál Martin insists his leadership is safe, cracks are beginning to form in the party and sources have indicated TDs are openly questioning his leadership following Jim Gavin's disastrous presidential campaign.

Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne recently said the Taoiseach lacks urgency and expressed doubt over whether Mr Martin would lead Fianna Fáil into the next election.

Writing in The Irish Times, Mr Byrne added: "We have an amazing country with incredibly talented people. We have a strong economy that should not be taken for granted. But, as a State, we are not being ambitious enough to achieve the transformations necessary for our citizens and our communities. As the largest political party and being in Government, we have to take responsibility for that.

"The anger at the slow pace of delivery are leading voters to the easy slogans of the hard left or the far right or to giving up on the 'system'. Fianna Fáil needs to show once again that as the party of the political centre, we can be radical and we can get things done.

"This is about much more than one individual but the Taoiseach needs to be front and centre in addressing this challenge. The presidential election debacle will soon fade into a historical footnote, but not delivering urgently on matters that really impact on people’s lives will not."

Meanwhile, MEP Billy Kelleher, who lost out to Mr Gavin after Mr Martin's strong backing of the former Dublin football manager, has been very critical of the Taoiseach.

Speaking at the Éamon de Valera commemoration in Co Clare, Mr Kelleher said Fianna Fáil had to do more to re-connect with young people.

“As a party, we need to invest in young people, invest in engaging with them, be willing to admit we are wrong. As a parent, I know how hard this is, but it is essential,” Mr Kelleher said.

He said Fianna Fáil is facing a “demographic cliff edge”.

“We need to be ready to rip up the rule book when it comes to housing construction.

"Our people are demanding it, our business leaders and investors are demanding it, so why are we so slow to go nuclear when it comes to home building?”

Mr Kelleher also accused party leadership of letting Sinn Féin take the lead on the issue of Irish unity.

“Failing to prepare for a United Ireland, and having the answers to the legitimate questions of people, north and south, will stymy our chances of winning a border poll.

“If the objective is to win a border poll, then we need to put out best foot forward, and to my mind, that is not allowing Sinn Féin lead the campaign for unity."

The comments are likely to put further pressure on Mr Martin.

Public express concern about cost of deportation flights

Members of the public have expressed concern about the cost of deportation flights in correspondence to Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.

Six deportation flights from the State via charter flight have taken place this year, with 205 people removed.

A total of 146 people have been removed from the State on charter flights.

After the latest flight, to Georgia, Mr O'Callaghan said: "I would like to reiterate that if a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State, they must do so. If they choose not to leave voluntarily, they will be forced to leave."

Messages from the public to Mr O'Callaghan, seen by BreakingNews.ie following a Freedom of Information request, showed public concern at the cost of the flights.

Referring to a deportation flight to Nigeria which cost a reported €325,000, one person wrote: "Given Ireland's ongoing resource constraints and the increasing pressures on public services, I believe there are more efficient and humane ways to manage deportations, particularly where individuals may be willing to leave voluntarily. I would like to propose an alternative approach aimed at reducing both the financial and operational burdens associated with forced deportations, while potentially increasing voluntary returns."

Abroad

Donald Trump has sent a letter to the BBC threatening legal action, following uproar over the editing of a speech by the US president in a Panorama documentary.

Critics said the Panorama edit was misleading and removed a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully.

BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have resigned amid the controversy.