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Matt is joined by the brilliant international and war correspondent Lara Marlowe, who draws on her experience of many visits to Ukraine in recent years to assess its continuing defence against Russia. She looks at it in the context of what a beaten Donald Trump might be tempted to do now, and the financial dealings of his envoys Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. She teases out Trump’s options in relation to Iran, then, moving back to her base in Paris, she and Matt discuss whether France is going to elect a far-right president next year, the possible candidacy of Christine Lagarde, and the financial position of the French government, which limits its traditional approach to dealing with mass discontent. 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/

Daniel McConnell and John Lee join Matt to talk about private security as well as Gardaí being used to police O'Connell Street and inner-city Dublin. The difficulty in finalising a pay deal for the public service. RTE: Why Ger Gilroy isn’t the real story but still matters. Jim O'Callaghan's dilemma on free legal aid after a High Court slapdown. Simon Harris and Fine Gael's identity on Ard Fheis weekend, and remembering the late Fianna Fáil minister Gerry Collins. 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 and Larry Donnelly react to a sweeping Democratic victory in the US midterms as the party wins both the House and Senate. They look at James Talarico’s defeat of Trump-backed Ken Paxton in Texas, Abdul El-Sayed’s win in Michigan, and Annie Andrews’s upset in South Carolina. They discuss how high prices, tariffs, and the war in Iran hurt Republicans. What will Trump do now? Marion and Larry discuss why Democrats should prioritise investigations over impeachment, whether Susie Wiles will stay on as chief of staff, and what the defeat means for JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and the future of MAGA. Also, the limits of billionaire spending and how Congress could use its funding powers to challenge Trump over Iran. 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/

Author and satirist Paul Howard, famous for the Ross O'Carroll-Kelly novels, has a new character: Fiach O'Bric, a civil servant charged with the responsibility for a secret government department preparing for a united Ireland. Matt conducted a live, public interview with Paul to mark the publication of 'A Nation Once Again,' and for those of you who couldn’t be there, here is your opportunity to hear a very entertaining, as well as informative and enlightening conversation. 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.

Veteran broadcaster Joe Duffy has written a book about his years on the RTÉ radio show Liveline, and Matt talks to him about its impact on politics in Ireland. They talk about people who contributed to Liveline, like Susie Long, and the issues she highlighted on inequality in accessing healthcare. Joe reveals that he didn’t take a phone call from the Labour Party that might have led to a presidential nomination, and explains why. He is particularly hurt by Labour’s part in criticising his handling of discussions about transgenderism over three days on Liveline in 2022. He talks about leaving RTÉ and addresses the rural-urban divide in modern Ireland, with particular reference to Leo Varadkar and Michael Healy-Rae. Also, his passion for tackling drugs and the scourge of violence, and he talks movingly about the recent death of his brother, Brendan. 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 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. 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 and Larry Donnelly look ahead to next week’s US midterms, Barack Obama’s return to the campaign trail and Donald Trump’s increasingly erratic behaviour. They discuss the prospect of a Republican election disaster and whether a heavy defeat could finally loosen Trump’s grip on the party. They examine Trump’s backing of Ken Paxton in Texas, his suggestion that Ted Cruz could join the Supreme Court, and growing concerns over attempts to undermine the election results. Also, the legal battles involving Cassidy Hutchinson and James Comey, Catholic bishops being used for political purposes at the White House, and who really deserves credit for a humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine: Melania Trump or Pope Leo? Plus, serious new allegations about Jared Kushner’s financial dealings in the Middle East, which he denies, and why he could have more to fear than Trump if Democrats take control in Washington. 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 veteran broadcaster and journalist Vincent Browne to discuss his long-awaited major biography of former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey. Vincent tells Matt about his personal relationship with Haughey in his final years, before going back to the 1960s, the Arms Trial and Haughey’s perjury, and whether this disqualified him from being a suitable person to hold the office of Taoiseach. Vincent laments Haughey’s obsequiousness towards Cardinal John Charles McQuaid and contrasts it with his lifestyle and his affair with Terry Keane. They debate his sincerity in dealing with Northern Ireland, inequality, and Travellers. And Vincent gives his overall assessment of a man who could have been a great Taoiseach. 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/ Show less

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. 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 and Larry Donnelly discuss revelations about Elon Musk’s role in restricting Ukraine’s access to vital satellite technology, Donald Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin, and the consequences for Ukraine. With just two weeks until the midterms, they look at the increasingly bitter election battles, including a bizarre attack ad in Maine, the treatment of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, and the possibility of Democratic victories in traditionally Republican states. Has Trump thrown away the political advantages that got him elected in 2024? Also, a particularly nasty campaign controversy in Ohio, Katie Zacharia's rapid departure as White House press secretary, the future of Susie Wiles, and why Trump could become even more dangerous if Republicans lose the midterms. 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/

John Deasy says the unions and Jim O'Callaghan are the winners of the public pay dispute. John details Patrick O'Donovan’s underrated achievements as minister. Phil Hogan's campaign to land a big United Nations job and why Fine Gael is supporting it. As an ardent student of American politics, John suggests that the opinion polls riding in favour of the Democrats are correct. Why Trump has treated Ukraine so badly and how the war with Russia is finally going to pan out. 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 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. 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 talk about the power of tech bros Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, as the Meta boss is the subject of a new Aaron Sorkin drama and the SpaceX boss is the subject of an Alex Gibney documentary. Matt and Marion differ on the merits of the Aaron Sorkin movie while Marion expresses her admiration for Sorkin's integrity. Musk's outrageous spending on behalf of Republican campaigners and James Talarico's chances against a Musk-supported Ken Paxton. The sacking of Kimberly Guilfoyle as US Ambassador to Greece and her erasure from previous membership of the Trump family. The new White House press spokeswoman and how long she will last. The unfair online monstering of Susan Dell. Pete Hegseth's execution for entertainment. Will the US step in to help Saudi Arabia against the Houthis? Trump's disappointment at missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize again. His disgraceful sucking up to Vladimir Putin and how it is costing lives in Ukraine. The sinister targeting of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, and why Jon Ossoff offers hope. 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/

Ibec Chief Executive and Economist Danny McCoy joins Matt for a post-budget analysis. They ask how much more the economy can expand and add jobs, how inflation will impact, and why we should be worried about the price of government bonds. However, Danny believes Ireland is well placed to carry much more debt if necessary. They look at how much money should be invested in capital projects by the government, and Danny surprises Matt by arguing for a larger public service and a higher wage bill. He argues for investment by Ireland in European defence on the basis of self-interest. Will Jack Chambers have a PEST along the lines of Elon Musk's DOGE? And they finish with the argument for data centres.  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/

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. 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.