Path to Power

Trump's 15% tariffs and the extra dangers to our pharma and semiconductor exports, how the national finances and the forthcoming budget will be affected. And Dermot Desmond's views on abandoning the Metro are assessed.  Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com Get in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodca...

An assessment of the individual performances of The Taoiseach, The Tánaiste, and each Government Minister. Ivan picks out the best of the Juniors, and Matt & Ivan also take a look at the performance of the opposition parties. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com Get in touch: mail@pathtopower...

Dancer Michael Flatley, medic Tony Holohan, and academic Deirdre Heenan and their presidential prospects assessed. The Summer Economic Statement dissected: Should the hospitality sector get a VAT break? The National Development Plan broken down: Is it enough despite the hundreds of billions involved and will it actually get delivered? An example of why we are not really serious about solving our h...

Ivan reads the economic tea leaves and blames government pessimism for falling consumer confidence in spending, the disaster of the falling number of new home building starts, why a principled position on Palestine may become an economic problem for us, and more on Mary Lou for president and the chances of Catherine Connolly. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free list...

Matt and Ivan have a spirited debate about the chances of Mary Lou McDonald appealing to enough voters to win the Presidency, they assess what the other parties can do in response. But before that, Jim O'Callaghan's legal damages welcome climedown, smaller apartment sizes and the Hines development at Clonliffe, and Trump's pharma tariffs. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access,...

A lengthy debate on who should pay for third-level education and who gets the benefit. Ivan takes issue with Matt for enjoying the hospitality of the US Embassy, why insurance awards may be going up and who's to blame for higher insurance prices, the tears of Rachel Reeves and what caused them, and a tribute to Brother Kevin Crowley. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-f...

Ivan praises the political impact of Trump's Iran moves: Matt disagrees. Also, Dublin Airport update, the do-nothing government, the expansion of the Civil service, union boss Owen Reidy gets in touch, alcohol labelling is delayed, Ireland's position on Israel and Gaza, and Ivan's assessment of where Sinn Féin are at and its presidential position. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy earl...

In a Path to Power special, Matt is joined by veteran US-based Irish journalist Marion McKeone to discuss Donald Trump's gamble with his MAGA base by attacking Iran, why MAGA doesn't want American wars, and the influence of the Jewish lobby on political and military support for Israel. And, they go beyond politics to analyse the Jeff Bezos wedding in Venice, and talk about the Kennedy's because of...

Israel and Iran: Where Ireland and the EU stand, and where Trump stands with his MAGA base. How real is the National Economic Dialogue? Is Paul Murphy the Irish Greta Thunberg? Scandals and further investigations into nursing homes: the public vs. private battle. From health to planning: Paul Reid's new gig, and tributes to Journalist Phillip Molloy and Lord Henry Mount Charles. Brought to you by...

After a detour to the Ballymena riots, Ivan and Matt return to the ongoing housing crisis and the government's Rent Pressure Zones initiative. The death of Evan Fitzgerald and the controversy over the 'controlled delivery' by the Gardaí of guns to him, reference to the Tina Satchwell and Michael Gaine murder investigations, and shoplifters get shirty. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy...

A discussion on whether the bail laws need to be changed, the further revelation undermining Children's Health Ireland, top civil servants with different interpretations of what can be done, more criticism of the planning process, and a debate on the ethics of fox hunting. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopow...

Ivan and Matt report on their travels and what they have learnt about AI and its impact on society, the Irish-American view of the world, the latest on Trump's tariffs, and why Irish Water is more important than RTÉ. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com Get in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.com F...

Where we are going with Rent Pressure Zones, the Mayo-led boycott of second-home owners, what really happened in 2024's election voting, room to improve for TD's offices (and who wants a 'La-Z-Boy' chair), and the cover-up of Joe Biden's illness. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com Get in touch:...

An assessment of 20 years of the HSE, the planned departure of the chief executive and what needs to be done. The failure to build hospitals and the incredible cost of the one that is being built. Judges and the planning process and the failure to build houses. Marital disharmony between Micheál and Simon, and more inside presidential gossip. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early acc...

Analysis of what the new Pope's election means, given that he's American and has criticised JD Vance and Donald Trump. What does the US/UK trade deal mean for Ireland? The Irish Government calls out Israel for war crimes, but what are the implications for us? Ruth Coppinger's Trump impression, Joe Duffy's retirement, his importance to public debate, and whether he could be a presidential candidate...

The debacle of the failed Brendan McDonagh appointment to a new Housing Activation Office prompts Ivan and Matt to cut loose on the government's performance in its first 100 days. They also discuss the anti-immigration protests, empty prison cells at a time of overcrowding, and another RTÉ financial shocker. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly...

The pope's legacy, the politics of the papacy, conservatism versus liberalism and did Francis fall in the middle? How the Irish State's relationship with Catholicism has changed in the last half-century, and Ivan's bet on who will be the next pope. Teacher burnout: how the nature of the job has changed and what needs to be done to have more teachers. And Matt defends himself on the downsizing of h...

Where Ireland stands with pharma and tech in the tariffs era, how will it impact the public finances, and could austerity return? The government doubles down on supporting business over workers, the price of beef and where our farmers face more potential competition, the politics and economics of free HRT, and the possibilities of a Fine Gael leadership heave. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+...

Matt and Ivan assess the implications of a traumatic week in financial markets and global politics. They then return to home to evaluate the implications for Ireland, the Government's response and the EU's too. Also, Ireland and the Chinese relationship, Ivan fulminates on sick leave, and an update on our housing targets. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listenin...

The American economic idiot goes to work - how will Ireland and the EU respond? Food and alcohol hit, but what next for pharma, tech, and financial services? Could Greenland make it worse? The Government's plans for Local Property Tax - does it take the loss of windfall corporate tax into account? And no housing supply solution until 2029? Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access...

Michael Lowry as a lightning rod, Verona Murphy's future and Dáil decorum. Liberation day; how to deal with Trump's tariffs. Is Ireland joining a NATO 2.0, if there's going to be one? And RTÉ finally begins its financial restructuring. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.com Get in touch: mail@patht...

From the Octagon to The Oval Office, Conor McGregor's potential disruption of the 2025 Áras race. A debate as to whether Simon Harris is right to suggest a Trump address to the Houses of the Oireachtas, the economic dangers of the Trump tariffs outlined, the latest on the speaking rights row in the Dáil, and Ivan's Leaving Certificate reform. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN PTP+ To enjoy early acc...

How Taoiseach Micheál Martin emulated his late father by ducking and diving and throwing few punches when Donald Trump used him as a foil in the latest edition of the US President's daily political reality TV show. Also discussed - the senior Sinn Féin TD facing possible criminal charges, whether MetroLink should be built, Michael McDowell's presidential ambitions, and whether you should pay for y...

A preview of Micheál Martin's trip to The White House based on President Zelensky's visit. How will the Ukrainian war end? What should the Taoiseach do and say? Our economic dependence as trade imbalances dominate, Simon Harris' encounter with Marco Rubio, the politics of the 'triple-lock', and presidential candidate rumours and confirmations as the field narrows. Brought to you by Greenman OPEN P...

Micheál Martin is going to the Oval Office, but what will happen? Matt and Ivan disagree on Trump’s effectiveness, whether it’s all bluster or seriously dangerous. The real importance of the Dáil speaking rights row and pending paralysis, Ivan’s green deal revelation and Matt on paying for and delivering new drugs, worse to come on the cost of the National Children’s Hospital, and the new cop in t...