

Path to Power
Matt Cooper & Ivan Yates
In Path to Power, experienced broadcasters Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2025 • 58min
Scores on the Doors
The podcast evaluates the performances of key political figures, including the Taoiseach and junior ministers. It dissects the political landscape post-election, focusing on critical issues like housing and government credibility. The discussion also highlights political aspirations and the challenges of communication. In addition, it critiques the effectiveness of various ministers, particularly in education and healthcare, while exploring public perceptions. Finally, it addresses stagnation in government and upcoming content that promises deeper insights.

Jul 26, 2025 • 1h 2min
Flatley Toots his Flute
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 housing crisis, Michael O'Leary's Metro dismissal, and Ivan supports AIB's return to the office demand.Brought to you by Greenman OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19, 2025 • 59min
Recession Incoming
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 OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 2025 • 55min
Mary Lou Can (win the Presidency)
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 OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 5, 2025 • 53min
No Such Thing As A Free College Education
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 OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 28, 2025 • 50min
Trump Blows Up his Critics
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 OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 25, 2025 • 50min
PTP America | Bonus special - Trump's War and Peace
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 the Ryan Murphy TV show about the death of JFK Jr, his wife Carolyn and her sister Lauren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 21, 2025 • 58min
Will Trump Pull the Trigger?
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 Greenman OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 14, 2025 • 52min
Rent Pressure Moans
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 OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 7, 2025 • 54min
What does this Government actually control?
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 OPENPTP+To enjoy early access, ad-free listening and a weekly bonus episode, sign up at pathtopowerpodcast.comGet in touch: mail@pathtopowerpodcast.comFollow the hosts:Matt: https://twitter.com/cooper_mhttps://www.instagram.com/mattcooperlastword/Ivan: https://www.instagram.com/officialivanyates/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.