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Path to Power

Matt Cooper
Path to Power
Latest episode

139 episodes

  • Path to Power

    The Streisand Effect

    01/08/2026 | 54 mins.
    In hiding a cost-benefit analysis for the Ryder Cup in Limerick next year, is the Government in danger of drawing more attention to the costs of subsidising the event? Lise Hand and Shane Coleman join Matt to discuss this and recall other occasions when ministers spent public money on major sporting events. Matt reveals that planning for Donald Trump’s September visit has accelerated, making it almost certain that he is coming. Lise, Shane and Matt also recall other times when major security operations were put in place for the arrival of foreign dignitaries. They discuss the Stop the Game campaign and whether Ireland should play football against Israel. The hypocrisy of the Aughinish Alumina report gives us another example of the Streisand effect, and they ask whether we take climate issues seriously enough.

    Brought to you by The Greenman Group.

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    Get in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.com

    Follow Matt:

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    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Path to Power

    Overselling Simon

    25/07/2026 | 51 mins.
    Simon Harris' income tax promises: John Deasy and Brenda Power join Matt to debate the political benefits to the Fine Gael leader of making promises he may find hard to deliver. They also address the controversial issue of inheritance tax. The politics of Jim O'Callaghan's row with the legal profession are judged. The new plans for e-scooters and whether they should be extended to cyclists. And the real local politics of the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick.

    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: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.com

    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

    Mary Lou and Micheál's Enmity

    18/07/2026 | 53 mins.
    Lise Hand and John Lee join Matt to discuss Mary Lou McDonald and Micheál Martin's true feelings for each other after the Sinn Féin leader calls her Fianna Fáil counterpart and Taoiseach a 'tosser'. Lynn Boylan's European Parliament embarrassment on the Irish language. Sinn Féin's position on an engineering plant in Derry that might be supplying the Israeli Air Force. The politics of Intel's increased Irish investment. Why the government must be glad it no longer has to deal with Aer Lingus' decisions. The length of the Dáil summer break, and John teases his cabinet scorecards.

    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: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.com

    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

    From Count Binface to Conor McGregor

    11/07/2026 | 51 mins.
    Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Áine Kerr join Matt to address the challenge to Nigel Farage being posed by a comedy candidate in the Clacton by-election. They give suggestions on how to revitalise O'Connell Street and the GPO. They offer a cost-benefit analysis on the MetroLink and wonder why it has taken so long. All three are outraged by the decision of the US Ambassador to Ireland to visit Conor McGregor's pub.

    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: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.com

    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

    Sex, Alcohol, and Irish Politics

    04/07/2026 | 1h
    Matt is joined by Danny McConnell and John Lee, who distinguish between Jeffrey Donaldson's illegal acts and his inappropriate ones, but ask how often inappropriate acts by Irish politicians get overlooked by the media. They examine some of the most high-profile events of the 21st century that did get media attention and why others didn't. Micheál Martin's erosion of authority, security issues with Trump's likely September visit, the strange results of the Red C poll on immigration, and the discrepancies on the Mayor of Galway's website.

    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: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.com

    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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