A spokesperson for Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Fianna Fáil leader met broadcaster Ivan Yates once last November for a one-hour media session in the run-up to the General Election.
The development follows confirmation earlier from Fianna Fáil that the broadcaster and former Fine Gael TD, who works for Newstalk as a stand-in presenter, provided four hours of media training to the party's candidate Jim Gavin during the presidential campaign in September.
Newstalk management said yesterday it was conducting a review after Mr Yates did not inform the station of his involvement in Fianna Fáil's Presidential Election campaign.
Minister for Housing James Browne, Minister for Children Norma Foley, as well as former housing minister Darragh O'Brien each also confirmed this afternoon they had received such training from Mr Yates.
In a statement this afternoon in reference to Mr Gavin, Fianna Fáil said Mr Yates "provided two sessions in the early stage of the campaign, between the period 23 September to 29 September".
"The focus of the training was on the practicalities of in-studio interviews and was centred on preparations for two specific programmes," Fianna Fáil said.
"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," the party added.
Watch: Jack Chambers says Yates provided 'limited role' to FF during presidential campaign
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said Mr Yates provided a very limited role to the party during the recent campaign.
Speaking in Co Longford, Mr Chambers said Fianna Fáil uses many media trainers. He said it has been on the public record that Mr Yates was involved in media training to the party in the past.
Referring to the recent presidential campaign, Mr Chambers said Mr Yates provided four hours of training and "that was the extent of the involvement".
However, he said Mr Yates's contribution to media organisations during the campaign is a matter for Mr Yates himself, adding that it is "something he should have disclosed".
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan insisted that the controversy has not damaged the working relationship between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
He said Fianna Fáil did nothing improper but that Mr Yates should have made it known that he did this work.
Watch: Nothing 'improper' from FF, says Minister on Yates debate training
"Obviously Fianna Fáil have put out a statement today. Ivan Yates had a very limited involvement with Jim Gavin's campaign from what I am being told today," he said.
"Apparently, he worked for a period of four hours on the campaign, preparing him for two specific interviews. Obviously, he should have disclosed that in terms of other work he was doing.
"The fact that he didn't subsequently disclose it is a matter for Ivan Yates and the people with whom he worked with subsequently."
The minister added that he is "not washing his hands with it" and that he is "not responsible for what Ivan Yates failed to do".
Ministers Browne and Foley received media training from Yates
Minister for Housing James Browne confirmed that he received media interview preparation training from Mr Yates. However, a spokesperson for the minister said that Mr Yates has not provided advice on policy matters.
Minister for Children Norma Foley took part in two media and communications training sessions amounting to around three hours with Mr Yates in 2024, prior to the general election.
A spokesperson for the minister confirmed that Ms Foley paid for this service using the secretarial allowance scheme.
The purpose of the secretarial allowance is to assist towards expenses arising from the purchase of certain secretarial assistance, public relations, information technology (but not web related) and training services from a person employed under a contract of service.
"The minister has had no further engagement with Mr Yates other than as outlined above," the spokesperson said.
During his time as minister for housing, Darragh O'Brien had three training sessions with Mr Yates.
Review at Newstalk after Ivan Yates did not disclose FF election work
Newstalk management said yesterday it was conducting a review as Mr Yates did not inform it of his involvement in the campaign.
Newstalk confirmed yesterday that Mr Yates "operated as a cover presenter on Newstalk for three days during the Presidential campaign on September 23, 24 and 25 from 9am-12pm".
Fianna Fáil said it has used media skills consultants "for many years" and that it works with several providers "all on an ad-hoc basis".
On Saturday, Mr Yates was dropped as the co-host of the Path to Power podcast following the revelation that he provided some advice to Fianna Fáil.
Mr Yates declined to comment when contacted.
Meanwhile, RTÉ has said it is satisfied that it has not breached election guidelines during the campaign.
In a statement, RTÉ said that Mr Yates was not used by RTÉ as a presenter or contributor during the Coimisiún na Meán election period.
This ran from 22 September to the close of polling stations on 24 October.
RTÉ confirmed that Mr Yates did appear on programmes before and after this period.
RTÉ indicated that it was not aware of Mr Yates' role advising Fianna Fáil and that this should have been disclosed to the audience.
In a statement, Coimisiún na Meán said it will be contacting both Newstalk and RTÉ today to obtain further information about the matter.
Additional reporting Sinéad Hussey
