Path to Power

Our Crime and Punishment Crisis

Daniel McConnell and John Lee join Matt to discuss the political response to the outrageous and horrific crash on the M9. They focus on Jim O'Callaghan’s pronouncements and the likely implementation of new laws and Garda measures. The Healy-Rae documentary and what it revealed about the extent of the split in the Kerry dynasty. Autumn's political dilemma: how does the government deal with reducing fuel excise duties? And the Fianna Fáil TD objecting to a major new housing development in his constituency.Brought to you by The Greenman Group.PTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rating the Cabinet

John Deasy joins Matt to offer a person-by-person assessment of the performance of each member of the Cabinet. Who’s good and who’s not so good, even bad?Brought to you by The Greenman Group.PTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wanting a United Ireland

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Féin’s Senator Conor Murphy, a former NI economy minister, join Matt for a full discussion about the possibilities of a united Ireland. Is it the inevitability that some people are starting to suggest, who actually wants it, and would a citizens’ assembly be helpful for preparations in the Republic? The potential economic benefits and challenges assessed. Do the polls give us an accurate representation of public sentiment? How we can learn from German reunification. The British perspective if Reform come to power. And how do we manage to persuade the more extreme elements of loyalism?Brought to you by The Greenman Group.PTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Streisand Effect

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.PTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and weekly bonus episodes, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Overselling Simon

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.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow Matt:https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-cooper-615a1317https://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.