The Last Word with Matt Cooper

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States. The decision is a significant blow to Trump’s immigration agenda. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Cabinet has signed off on a draft plan which seeks to introduce more flexible rules on one-off rural housing. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne joins The Last Word to discuss the new proposals. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Deirdre Heenan, professor of Social Policy at Ulster University, talks to Matt about the continuing fallout from the conviction of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson for child sex abuse and rape. Politicians are calling for an investigation by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, into what PSNI officers might have known about Donaldson's conduct. There were also further revelations about Je...

From visa rules to baggage allowances, Sarah Slattery from the thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to run through all of the checks you should consider before heading off on your summer holidays. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Matt is joined by Former Galway footballer Ray Silke and Former Cork footballer Conor McCarthy to preview the weekend's Gaelic football action. They preview the All Ireland Quarter Finals this weekend Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week on The Week Trending Matt is joined by writer and broadcaster Aoife Barry and Managing Director of The Communications Clinic Eoghan Tomás McDermott to discuss the week's stories. They discuss three American tourists arrested for counterfeit Metallica wristbands, players taking leaves of absence from the World Cup and much more Hit Play on this page to listen now

This week on The Last Word on The Environment Matt is joined by Climate and Environmental Researcher and Irish Times Contributor Sadhbh O’Neill. The discuss why carspreading is so dangerous, election posters impact on the environment and much more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through the best times throughout the year to buy a new phone, laptop, TV or other gadgets. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Since the M50 was first designed, population of the greater Dublin area has risen by 20%, with commuters now facing long delays on their journeys into the city. With so many people dependent on private cars, is there any way of easing traffic congestion? Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin and Aidan Farrelly, Social Democrats Spokesperson on Transport speak to Th...

Theatre director Annie Ryan joins Matt for the Culture Club. Annie's latest production is a revival of Lennox Robinson's canonical play The White Headed Boy, which is at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Annie talks to Matt about the humour and enduring themes of the play. She also discusses the music, movies, TV shows and books that have influenced her life and work. To catch the full conversation, pr...

As Ireland gets closer to hosting the EU presidency, concerns remain about the country's ability to provide adequate national security for such a high profile event. Dr Edward Burke, assistant professor of the history of war at UCD, joins The Last Word to discuss the security gaps that are leaving Ireland open to bad actors. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This week on The Last Word on Music Dee Reddy and John Cadell join Matt to discuss the biggest music stories of the week including Clive Davies death. They also give us their picks of the week Hit Play on this page to listen now

Sommelier Brigid O'Hora joins The Last Word to give her top wine recommendations for summer. Brigid's choices include a Spanish Cava rosé, a classic Muscadet and even a summer appropriate red from an Irish winemaker in northern Spain. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page! Full list of the wines recommended by Brigid: Mistinguett Cava Rosé, Penedès, Spain RRP €24 Muscadet...

This week on The Last Word on the US Marione McKeone and Cal Thomas discuss the ongoing peace negotiations between the White House and Iran. They also discuss Trump's reflecting pool, Tucker Carlson leaving the party and much more Hit Play on this page to listen now

The Government today agreed the first steps to redevelop the iconic General Post Office (GPO) building on Dublin's O'Connell Street. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers joins The Last Word to discuss how the government plans to utilise the landmark building and how those plans fit into the wider development of the capital. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 child sex abuse charges, including rape. The jury of five women and seven men returned with the verdict on Monday afternoon after ten hours of deliberations. Jamie O’Hara, Today FM reporter and Stephen Walker, former political correspondent at the BBC join Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece...

Passengers can travel to 48 destinations from Cork Airport this summer including brand new routes to Nice and Santiago de Compostela. Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to run through some great holidays you can take if you want to fly out of Cork. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

British Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned from office, paving the way for new leadership. Nick Ferrari, Presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC, talks to Matt about the fortunes of the Labour leader. He also discusses the rise of former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who secured a definitive win in the Makerfield by election, winning back votes from Reform. He seems...

This week, Cadbury confirmed that its chocolate bars are in fact getting smaller but the company denies that it is trying to fool customers. As the World Cup gets in full swing, many viewers have remarked on the number of ads starring ex-footballer turned professional brand ambassador David Beckham. And, Jimmy Fallon has sparked outrage from Irish fans over his interview with Conor McGregor. Elain...

On Friday, Andy Burnham was elected as MP in the Makerfield byelection and, in doing so, has further increased the pressure on Keir Starmer’s position as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party. So, are Starmer’s days in Downing Street numbered, and how will Nigel Farage react to such a heavy defeat for Reform? Nick Ferrari, presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC Radio in London, spea...

Fraudster Samantha Cookes spent more than a decade conning people in both Ireland and Britain. A new book looks at how Cookes integrated herself into the lives of vulnerable families and posed as a nanny, a therapist and an author under various identities. Alan Bradley, author of ‘Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster’, joins Daniel McConnell on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Pl...

Patrick Freyne joins The Last Word to discuss his debut novel 'Experts in a Dying Field'. He chats to Matt about writing from his own life, pursuing a music career, and the magic of foxes. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

New data from the Environmental Protection Agency has shown that there were no major improvements in Ireland’s water quality in 2025. The EPA has said that the condition of Ireland’s rivers have “dropped significantly” in recent years and that high nutrient levels are the biggest challenge to raising standards. Sadhbh O’Neill, Climate and Environmental Researcher and Irish Times Contributor, speak...

In 2024, hurling coach Niall MacEneaney was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver. That driver was Michael Ball, who at the time was a serving garda. He was recently sentenced to six years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death. Niall's wife Grace Martin talks to Matt about Niall's life and the impact of his loss on her.

Iarla Ó Lionáird is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. He talks to Danny McConnell about his life in music and the upcoming performance at this year's Galway International Arts Festival. Iarla also discusses the music, film, movies, and books that have influences his life.