Ivan Yates, a former Fine Gael minister, has leveraged his media training company, Yewtree Infotainment Unlimited, to advocate for an energy firm. This initiative includes lobbying members of both the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil parties, particularly junior minister Niall Collins. Yates organized meetings in hotels aimed at discussing strategies for securing favorable planning decisions for renewable energy projects.
Engagements with Political Figures
Yates’s lobbying efforts included correspondence with Stephen Kinsella, a special adviser to former Taoiseach Simon Harris. The Nature of their discussions focused on energy and infrastructure development.
Key Meetings and Discussions
- March 11, 2024: Yates met Paul Kehoe at the Riverside Hotel in Wexford to discuss hurdles for wind farm developers.
- February 19, 2025: Yates and Regnum executives met Niall Collins and councillor Ger Ward at Buswell’s Hotel to present a solar farm project.
- April 2025: A meeting with Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan at Ashdown Park Hotel addressed community engagement strategies.
- July 2025: Yates and Regnum representatives met Malcolm Byrne at Leinster House to introduce their development proposals.
Regnum Renewables Development
Last year, Regnum Renewables Development hired Yates as a lobbyist. According to a lobbying register, he was engaged on January 1, 2024, to explore methods for achieving favorable planning decisions for renewable projects currently unsupported by local development plans.
Challenges and Opportunities for Renewable Projects
During the discussions, Yates addressed potential changes to county development plans impacting wind and solar energy applications. His communications sought to uncover paths for successful project approvals.
Continuing Initiatives
As Regnum proceeds with its solar farm proposals across Ireland, Yates remains active in advocating for necessary legislative adjustments. The involvement of multiple political figures underlines the significance of renewable energy development in Ireland’s planning landscape.
Yates has not yet commented on these activities, but his proactive approach indicates a strong commitment to facilitating energy infrastructure growth in the country.