The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Some of Europe’s biggest salmon farms have started feeding chicken byproducts to their fish, with a reduction in carbon emissions and costs used as the reason for doing so. Commentator John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for historical sex offences against two women when they were children. Today FM report Emily Keegan joins The Last Word to outline the sentence and what was heard in court. Later, Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, talks to Matt about the significance of this sentence for other survivors of...

Andy O'Donoghue explains what happened when supermarket fridges were targeted in a cyber attack in France. Andy also runs through how to protect yourself from cyber crime. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Photographer Conor Horgan is the latest guest on The Culture Club. He joins The Last Word to discuss his favourite music, movies, theatre and more. Press the 'Play' button to hear his cultural picks!

Jamie O’Hara, Today FM Reporter, gauges the mood of public sector workers striking at Cork University Hospital and at a school in Mallow. Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, outlines the latest moves by Government and the reaction of the unions. Adrian Kane, Deputy General Secretary of SIPTU outlines what the unions are looking for in terms of negotiations with Governmen...

Seamus O’Mahony, author of 'The Longevity Delusion', joins The Last Word to discuss the vast pseudo-medical longevity industry which promises to 'cure' old age and cheat death. After investigating the science behind this billion dollar industry, O'Mahony, a retired gastroenterologist, concludes that it doesn't live up to the hype. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Homeowners are being warned that underinsuring their homes could leave them facing significant financial losses if they’re forced to make a claim. OUTsurance has advised people to review their cover ahead of the winter months when the weather can be more extreme and unpredictable. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joins Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button...

Elizabeth Braw, author of The Undersea War, talks to Matt about her exploration of the network of oil, gas and data pipelines under the sea, and the potential security risks they pose. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' on this page.

Fontaines D.C. are set to release their fifth studio album 'Dopamine Chamber' this Friday, October 16th. Dee Reddy and John Caddell speak to Matt on The Last Word about what to expect from the record and about the band's growth over the last decade. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dubbed US President Donald Trump's decision to purchase Russian diesel "a gift" to Putin. Trump has faced widespread criticism for the move which undercuts years of effort to sanction Russia for its war in Ukraine. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pr...

Public sector workers will strike on Wednesday despite a final plea from Government for unions to enter into talks to work out a new pay deal. Pat Leahy, political editor with the Irish Times, Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, and Linda Kelly, general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), join The Last Word to discuss how the impasse can be resolved. Catc...

When Patrick Horgan retired from intercounty hurling in 2025, he did so as the highest scorer in championship history. Horgan has now released his new autobiography “Hoggie: My Story”. He joins Matt on The Last Word to talk about retirement, the narrative surrounding not winning an All-Ireland medal and the rumours that circulated about the Cork team after the 2025 final against Tipperary. Hit the...

After a three week international break, the Premier League returned this weekend and the pick of the fixtures was Sunday’s tie between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. It was City’s first game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations, and much of the build-up was centred around the reception Liverpool fans would give City, and how Enzo Maresca’s side woul...

Former swimming coach George Gibney has been jailed for fifteen years and six months for the sexual abuse of four girls between 1971 and 1981. Today FM reporter Jamie O’Hara joins The Last Word to outline the details of the sentence and Justine McCarthy, columnist with the Irish Times, joins to reflect on the long search for justice for Gibney’s victims. Press ‘Play’ to hear the full conversation!

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has invited public sector unions to talks at the WRC in a bid to avert strike action. Fórsa General Secretary Kevin Callinan and Seamus McGrath of Fianna Fail discuss the planned strike and why unions have rejected the Government's invitation. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Paddy Duffy, freelance TV producer, and Emily Keegan, Today FM Journalist, join The Last Word to go through all the biggest stories of the week. From Limerick's College Court to a firing squad livestream, you can hear the full chat when you press 'PLAY' on this page.

Boys and young men are facing a crisis of online misogyny, with the manosphere continuing to grow while preying on vulnerable boys.  Matteo Bergamini, co-author of Man Enough with Amelia Fairney, joins The Last Word to advise parents on what steps to take so their boys will listen. To listen to the full chat press 'PLAY' on this page!

John Gibbons joins The Last Word to delve into why the 2027 Budget is a disaster for Ireland's climate targets. To listen to the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Economist Ronan Lyons, author of 'Brittle', joins The Last Word to discuss how Ireland reached the housing crisis that it's experiencing today and, more importantly, what can be done to fix it. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Andy O’Donoghue joins The Last Word with a list of technology to help you save money and reduce your bills this winter. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Tim Wheeler, leader singer with Ash, is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. He joins Matt ahead of a series of solo, acoustic gigs around Ireland, and a celebration of 30 years of the album 1977 later this year. Tim also discusses his favourite music, movies, books, TV and more. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Author John Boyne talks to Matt about his new novel, The Weight Of Angels, which speculates on the life of Oscar Wilde and what might have happened if Oscar Wilde had ignored a taunt that led to a libel case and ultimately his imprisonment. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

US President Donald Trump has said he will speak with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about the death of a lab worker at a plague research centre in Siberia. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States, including Trump's comment that an Iranian attack on LA would be "a small price to pay." Catch the full chat by pressin...

Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joins Matt for The Last Word’s personal finance slot to take a closer look at how Budget 2027 will impact you. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke joins The Last Word to discuss the main points from Budget 2027. Then Pearse Doherty of Sinn Féin and Cian O’Callaghan of the Social Democrats give their reaction to the budget measures. And finally, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers responds to criticism from unions who believe support for workers doesn't go far enough and al...