Path to Power

As Fine Gael considers a conference motion that it is “too progressive” and needs to reject woke, its former TD John Deasy and Brenda Power join Matt to debate this. With Fine Gael at 15% in the polls, does the party need a fundamental reset in deciding what it is? They assess whether the Budget was a failure in appealing to what the Fine Gael voters really want, and suggest the special savings account has landed to a ‘meh’. They detail Simon Harris’ interactions with Patrick O'Donovan and how the family row is likely to have gone down with the public. They contrast this to the strong positions Jim O'Callaghan is taking against the solicitors and on immigration, and how popular this is making the Minister for Justice. They ponder Micheál Martin's new united Ireland initiative and how much the public in the 26 counties wants to engage. They debate Sinn Féin's Irish language position as part of the immigration debate, a little on Michael D. Higgins and the Triple Lock, and John's US midterm election predictions.

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Shane Coleman and Lise Hand discuss Ireland’s failure to tackle climate change, growing opposition to data centres, and our economic dependence on big tech. They examine the global cybersecurity scare that left millions of websites potentially vulnerable to hackers. The heated Dáil row over the Triple Lock and its implications for Irish neutrality. Also, violent protests across Europe and the dangers of political polarisation. And Lise recalls working with Terry Keane and the revelation of her affair with Charlie Haughey, ahead of Matt’s interview with Vincent Browne about his new Haughey biography in this week’s bonus episode.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

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Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and entrepreneur Áine Kerr join Matt to discuss the reasons for, and the impact of, the public sector pay disputes and how inevitably they will get solved, but when and at what price? After Ireland hosts a major conference on AI, Áine and Leo, who both participated, report on what took place and look to Ireland and the EU’s future with AI. In particular, they focus on environmental issues – dirty big data centres – and the impact on jobs. They debate the underfunding of third-level education but differ on who should provide the money to fund the gap. Drumcree/Garvaghy Road “settlement” and the long-term impacts assessed. As the ESRI reports that most immigrants move to affluent areas, Leo offers his assessment of that finding.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

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Daniel McConnell and John Lee join Matt on yet another remarkable week for RTÉ, as Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan withholds €20 million of promised funding from the state broadcaster. What can Kevin Bakhurst do at RTÉ about it? Why the rest of the Cabinet can’t believe that O'Donovan has dropped them in this one and overshadowed the Budget. Daniel, John, and Matt also give their assessment of the Budget and the political benefits for Jack Chambers and Simon Harris.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

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Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and entrepreneur Áine Kerr join Matt to reflect on a tumultuous week for Irish football, whether the Israel games should have been cancelled, what practical support we can give to Palestine, whether Ireland is antisemitic, and how all of this is viewed in the USA. They turn to the rights and wrongs of the Drumcree/Garvaghy Road parade and what the consequences are for moving towards a united Ireland. Also, where Ireland and Europe stand on the issues of AI investment and regulation, Ireland’s role in EU defence, and the politics of sports funding.

Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

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