Matt is joined by Brendan Ogle and Larry Donnelly to look at Irish reactions to Trump's Iranian assault. They rate and review Micheál Martin's Oval Office visit as much for what it signified as what he said. They discuss whether it is safe for Irish people to go to America, especially for the World Cup. Brendan, a regular visitor to Cuba, explains why we should continue to monitor the situation there while all the tension and focus are on the Middle East. They return home to discuss the many price increases that are likely to result from the Gulf crisis and what the government could and should do in response. They debate the number of data centres and the price they should pay for electricity. And they finish on the Oireachtas hearing on the extension of passenger numbers at Dublin Airport.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lise Hand and Shane Coleman join Matt to assess the perilous nature of Micheál Martin's visit to the Oval Office: what sort of Trump will he find, can he safeguard Irish interests, and is it right to be dealing with the increasingly erratic president at all at a time of war? Was Catherine Connolly out of line to make statements about violations of international law, and in doing so, was she putting it up to the government? Lise and Shane disagree vehemently. Matt defends the Moriarty Tribunal from the criticisms of Michael Lowry and Denis O'Brien. And also, a short clip from Leo Varadkar - our new PTP cast member.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenda Power and John Deasy join Matt to discuss America's assault on Iran and what Ireland's position on it should be. They assess what Micheál Martin should do in Washington the week after next, and how a prolonged war would prompt a cost-of-living crisis. They debate whether the government should be paying for people to return from the Gulf states. They also discuss the Fáilte Ireland attempt to get us all to take more short holiday breaks in Ireland. And they focus on Phil Hogan's bid for a new big UN gig.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by John Lee and Danny McConnell to discuss Sinn Féin's prospects in the Dublin Central by-election, its position on Ukraine, Mary Lou McDonald's memories of Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, and how cost-of-living issues may give SF its strongest opportunity to make a mark on the government politically. Also, rent reforms and house building, Ireland's defence readiness for the EU presidency, and reaction to the Greens victory in the British by-election.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Áine Kerr and Shane Coleman to discuss the importance of SNAs in our schools and our government's mishandling of potential changes. Why is the government finding it so hard to come up with ways of protecting our children from harmful social media? Outrage at the planning refusal for a new building for the Rotunda Hospital on Parnell Square, is there anything to be said in favour of the planning board's decision? Was Sinn Féin invited to the White House or not before it said it wasn't going?

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Fine Gael TD John Deasy and Irish Daily Mail Columnist Brenda Power join Matt to discuss the wider implications for Irish emigrants to the US of the Seamus Culleton case. Why is Ireland soft on the murderous Iranian Regime? Sinn Féin's positions on Iran and Ukraine assessed. The rise of the Social Democrats: Is it sustainable and at whose expense? Michael Healy Rae and his Airbnb victory. Is the IFA biting off more than it can chew with its Bord Bia campaign? The latest Garda Scandal: Is there adequate justice for Margaret Loftus? Kier Starmer's survival. And where Ireland will play football against Israel.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny McConnell and John Lee examine the consequences of Ireland’s repeated failure to deliver flood defences and critical infrastructure. They ask whether the Social Democrats under Holly Cairns are emerging as a credible alternative to Sinn Féin on the left, assess the runners and riders in the upcoming Dublin by-election, the continued fallout from the government’s ‘incoherent’ stance on Mercosur, and the performance of social media executives at the Oireachtas.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Storm Chandra wreaked havoc on the country, Shane Coleman and Lise Hand discuss who is really responsible for making sure appropriate weather warnings are given. Fianna Fáil's slump in the polls and the threat to Micheál Martin's leadership. Ivana Bacik's calls for the Taoiseach not to visit the White House on St. Patrick's Day. The soapbox politics of the Bord Bia and Brazilian beef situation. A salute to Mary Robinson and other leading Irish women for St. Brigid's Day. And the resurgence of protest songs in response to troubling world events.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Donald Trump pushes his Board of Peace idea, would it be wise for Ireland to join and if we say no, could the squeeze be put on us? John Deasy and Brenda Power join Matt, and John outlines his personal dealings with the US President during his time as an Irish government envoy. Is Ireland ready for a 'MIGA' movement, and why would the US Ambassador to Ireland go to a fringe conference? Is the Mercosur European Parliament vote something that Trump would have wanted? The Board of Peace: Is it a Trump commercial venture for Gaza? Also, Gráinne Seoige's experience of fake photos on the internet, can her terrible experience lead to real action, or are we too scared of losing the Meta tax revenues? And finally, why is the M4 bus corridor not open?

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt is joined by Danny McConnell and John Lee to unpack the continuing Mercosur fallout inside the government and with the EU. The foreign challenges for Micheál Martin in 2026. All talk but what action about Grok AI? The politics and economics of the data centres. Paschal Donohoe, the World Bank, and the question of an additional €10 million. The merits of politicians reading books. Jim O'Callaghan's immigration crackdown. And the protection of sources by journalists from the courts.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenda Power and Larry Donnelly join Matt for a wide-ranging discussion starting with the Irish government's position on the Mercosur deal. What Micheál Martin was up to in China, and how the Chinese relationship will impact our existing relationships with the US and the EU. Why we need to worry about more people than Trump. What is our government going to do about Elon Musk's Grok and the 'nudification' of photos? Jim O'Callaghan's sneaky and dangerous attack on journalism. Political action on road safety. And finally, Mary Lou McDonald's interview about the place of trans people in Ireland, debated.

Brought to you by Greenman OPEN

PTP+

To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow Matt:

https://twitter.com/cooper_m

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317

https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.