PodcastsGovernmentPath to Power

Path to Power

Matt Cooper
Path to Power
Latest episode

128 episodes

  • Path to Power

    Analogue Bertie Hobbled by a Digital World

    16/05/2026 | 50 mins.
    Matt is joined by Lise Hand and Shane Coleman to discuss the controversy involving former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his views on immigration, as expressed to a voter who recorded and disclosed them. They offer a detailed assessment of the way in which Bertie Ahern operates and why he is an analogue 20th century politician in a digital world. Discussions on; the appropriate use of our national flag - the tricolour, how immigration will be a factor in next week's by-elections and whether constituency polls are accurate predictors of what will happen. They also discuss Jack Chambers attempts to impose fiscal discipline on his ministerial colleagues, Simon Harris’ obsession with savings plans for the well-off and Revenue’s approach to taxing sheds for beds.

    Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

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    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.
  • Path to Power

    Ireland’s Antisemitism Debate

    09/05/2026 | 58 mins.
    John Deasy and Brenda Power join Matt for a spirited exchange about Patrick Kielty’s Late Late Show comments and how they have sparked wider allegations that Ireland is antisemitic. Before that, they discuss why Ireland won’t ever go nuclear and why the country’s abortion laws are likely to remain unchanged. The impact of Gerry Hutch in the Dublin Central by-election and how Sinn Féin addresses his immigrant and race-baiting. How is the unity of the Left in the by-elections? Our pullback on Ukrainian support, character references from TDs for the convicted, and are student fee reductions the next Fianna Fáil/ Fine Gael split?

    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/

    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.
  • Path to Power

    Why Not a Mini Budget?

    02/05/2026 | 52 mins.
    Matt is joined by Danny McConnell and John Lee to discuss the changing government generosity towards Ukrainians and how this may have been influenced by the by-election in Galway West and Dublin Central. On the latter, they explore why a Sinn Féin win in Mary Lou's home constituency is not the slam dunk it should be, due to the presence of Gerry Hutch and possible voter confusion about what Sinn Féin stands for. They discuss the potential for Dara Calleary to become the leader of Fianna Fáil. Matt condemns the failure to get electric buses on the road and expresses bafflement at dust in the ducts at the National Children's Hospital, and they finish with praise for the financial generosity of former President Michael D. Higgins.

    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.
  • Path to Power

    How Protest Should Be Done - The Expert’s View

    25/04/2026 | 56 mins.
    Long-time protest activist Brendan Ogle takes issue with the conduct of the diesel protests and the government’s capitulation to unlicensed protesters. He details his own experiences with the Locomotive Drivers' Association, the Right2Water campaign, and the Apollo House protest against homelessness.

    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.
  • Path to Power

    Leo's Rural-Urban Divide

    25/04/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    Shane Coleman and Lise Hand join Matt, and they start with the suggested split in the Healy-Rae dynasty. They discuss all the issues related to the rural-urban divide, with particular emphasis on deprivation in urban areas. What would the public reaction be if people living in the inner cities did what the farmers did? Could the protesters bring us towards having an Irish Trump? Is the government, awash with cash, going to be a soft touch to further protests? A debate on the merits of bringing back social partnership, are we on the road to anarchy, and have we forgotten the crash? They discuss the controversy caused by Leo Varadkar’s comments about the rural-urban divide and who really pays the bills. The highly paid Robert Watt, cause he’s worth it? And how clever has Catherine Connolly’s immigration legislation position been?

    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.
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About Path to Power
In Path to Power, experienced broadcaster Matt Cooper and guests bring their individual points of view to a lively weekly discussion that sets the agenda and examines all the political and current issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Path to Power: Podcasts in Family