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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.

Marion McKeone is joined by Larry Donnelly to discuss the latest release of the Epstein files, whether Trump is really de-escalating tensions in Minnesota, how the Republicans need Trump to secure the midterms, who’s emerging as potential saviours of the Democrats, Trump’s latest grift, and 'Melania' reviewed. 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/

Former BBC political Journalist and author Stephen Walker joins Danny McConnell to assess the growing influence of Nigel Farage and the rise of Reform, the fallout for the Conservative Party amid a wave of high-profile defections, the mounting pressure on Keir Starmer’s leadership, and what this political realignment could mean for Anglo-Irish relations. 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/

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.

Marion and Matt examine the fallout of the Minneapolis execution of Alex Pretti. They go after Amazon and Apple for their Melania movie indulgence. Trump's ballroom obsession. How Canada is standing up to Trump and Scott Bessent's bullying. The return of Elon Musk to Trump's orbit. RFK Jr.'s dangerous vaccine nonsense. And Sydney Sweeney's underwear stunt. 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/

Matt and economist Dan O'Brien speculate as to the economic reasons why Donald Trump may have backed down on Greenland. They look at the financial disaster a trade war between the EU and the US would have caused and at their mutual dependence. What Europe needs to provide for itself in cloud computing and financial transactions. Will the EU, now that it had its scare, bind closer together, or can it ever be a true union like the US, given all the different national identities and cultures? They discuss the Mercosur fiasco, Canada's place in the world after Mark Carney's big speech, and why US planes land in Shannon Airport. Also, Matt pays tribute to the late MEP Brian Crowley. 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/

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 & Marion discuss the latest Trump tantrums and taunts and whether he will carry through on his threats. They assess his pre-Davos press conference and his state of mind. They look at how Europe might respond, whether this would cause mutual economic destruction, and whether there is anyone in American business, if not politics, willing to step in to stop him. The racist attacks on Somalians, the continued denigration of Renee Good, the Gestapo-like tactics of ICE and its strutting boss Greg Bovino. The importance of the midterms, if they happen. How Mark Carney told it how it is. The self-enrichment of the Trump family. How Tony Blair is destroying his legacy with the Board of Peace. The schism in the American Catholic Church. And for some light relief, another schism in the Beckham family. (Oh, and where are the Epstein files?) 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/

As Trump's threats against Greenland escalated, where does this leave Ireland? Do we dare stand up to the United States, given our deep economic dependency? What risks are we taking by deepening our relationship with China? And with all that in mind, where do we stand with the European Union, given our rejection of Mercosur and our limited defence spending? Ger Colleran joins Matt to take the temperature of Ireland's perilous standing. 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/

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.

Matt and Marion stay away from the politics at the start of this week's episode by discussing Jessie Buckley's win at the Golden Globes. Marion talks about her experience attending numerous Golden Globe Awards and going to the Oscar Wilde Awards with J.J. Abrams. Then they pivot to the ICE killing of Renee Good and JD Vance's support for the killing. Then they discuss Donald Trump's big new economic ideas, and Matt asks is Trump really a socialist in disguise? Then, the global and American significance of the lawfare against Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. And then a detour to Greenland, Iran, and Trump's imperial march. 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/

Long-time Cuban visitor Brendan Ogle offers a left-wing perspective to Matt on the consequences for all of Latin America as a result of the US incursion into Venezuela. They discuss the likelihood that Cuba will be the next to fall and debate the history and politics of the vulnerable state off the coast of Florida. They explore Ireland's difficulties in adequately criticising Trump for what he has done because of the vulnerability of our American-generated tax revenues, and Brendan argues why our future lies even more with Europe. 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/

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.

Matt and Marion McKeone ask if the Venezuelan abduction of President Maduro was all a big distraction from the Epstein files and many important issues, such as the intimidation of Tim Walz, the gutting of vaccine programmes, and Pete Hegseth's attacks on Mark Kelly. Stephen Miller's hysterical Jake Tapper CNN interview assessed, and what's next for Venezuela and Greenland. 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/

Economist Dan O'Brien joins Matt for a detailed discussion on Ireland's relationship with China as Taoiseach Micheál Martin visits the country. They discuss the wisdom of Ireland deepening its ties with an increasingly assertive superpower, examine the level of investment and trade between the two countries, and assess the Chinese threat to Taiwan. Dan and Matt also look at the state of the global economy for 2026, with particular emphasis on AI investments, benefits, and threats. 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/