The Last Word with Matt Cooper

In the fourth instalment of The Last Word’s series on the delays people face on their daily commutes in Ireland, we look at one of the country's busiest cities: Cork. Matt chats to Director of Public Affairs and International Affairs at Cork Chamber, Cathal McSweeney, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central Seamus McGrath and Opinion Editor at the Irish Examiner Deirdre O’Shaughnessy. Hit Play on th...

The United States and Ukraine are working on a 'refined' peace plan, aimed at bringing an end to Russia's war, after a leaked US-backed document was criticised for being pro-Russia. Journalist Lara Marlowe joins The Last Word to discuss what is on the cards in the latest peace talks. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Troy Parrott's hattrick in Hungary has kept Ireland's World Cup dream alive but fans will have to fork out a lot of cash if they want to see the Boys In Green take on Czechia in Prague. Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, and Elaine Burke, host of For Tech’s Sake podcast, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play'...

The Last Word continues to look at the difficulties people face on their daily commutes around Ireland. Having already discussed the issues in Galway and its surrounding areas, Friday's focus turns to Dublin. Matt spoke to transport commentator Conor Faughnan, Green Party councillor Janet Horner and Mary Rose Burke, Chief Executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Hit the 'Play' button on this page...

In the second instalment of The Last Word’s series on the delays people face on their daily commutes in Ireland, we look at one of the country's most congested cities: Galway. Matt speaks CEO of Galway Chamber Karen Ronan and former Galway All-Ireland winning captain Ray Silke about their experience of commuting into Galway city and what can be done to help ease the issues. Hit the ‘Play’ button o...

On this week’s Environment slot, Matt talks to John Gibbons about the noise and air pollution produced by leaf blowers. Meanwhile, in response to an earlier item on the show regarding commuting issues in Galway, John gave his opinion on whether the city needs a new ring road to ease traffic congestion. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

The Government is bringing in emergency regulations to stop companies attempting to dodge the new pension auto-enrolment system by forcing employees to join less favourable schemes. Charlie Weston, personal finance editor of the Irish Independent, and Dr Laura Bambrick, head of social policy with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, join The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the...

On the Last Word, Andy O'Donoghue previews the Last Word Gadget Show 2025. Andy also answers a listener's question on the best GPS watches for children. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Colm Williamson, the man behind Waterford Whispers News, is this week’s entry into The Last Word's Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all his choices.

Commuters say they are facing longer journey times to and from work or school due to increased traffic congestion and poor alternative transport options. This comes as many employers are pushing for staff to return to the office, which means even more workers will be making the commute into the country's urban centres every day. To discuss the challenges of commuting and how they can be addressed,...

According to the latest Drinkaware survey, Ireland's relationship with alcohol is shifting, with 1 in 3 reporting drinking at home at least once a week, and alone. Does this cultural shift mean the home is becoming 'the pub'? Ali Dunworth, author of A Compendium of Irish Pints: The Culture, Customs and Craic, talks to Matt about the findings in the survey, and what could be causing Irish people an...

US President Donald Trump has urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote to release the Epstein files despite spending weeks claiming that the vote was a distraction led by the Democratic Party. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss Trump's reversal and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this pag...

Paschal Donohoe has stepped down from his role as Minister for Finance to take up a senior position at the World Bank, prompting a Cabinet reshuffle. Daniel McConnell, editor of the Business Post, Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, Sarah Carey, columnist with the Irish Independent, and Professor Gary Murphy, professor of politics at the School of L...

On Sunday, Troy Parrott delivered one of the most memorable moments in Irish sport when he scored a 96th minute winner against Hungary to send Ireland into the World Cup qualifying playoffs next March. It was his 5th goal across just two games and in the space of just four days. After a dismal start to their qualifying campaign, the win in Budapest topped off a stunning week for Heimir Hallgrimsso...

Professor Louise Crowley is well-known as a professor in family law at University College Cork and director of the Bystander Intervention Programme, but many people may not know that she has suffered from lupus since she was 17 years old. Louise joins The Last Word to talk about her experience of living with this crippling auto-immune disease. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on t...

Conor Sheehan, TD, Labour Housing Spokesperson and Sean O’Neill McPartlin, Director of Housing Policy, Progress Ireland, debate the proposal from the Housing Minister, to encourage older people to split the family home into flats, rather than downsize. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page

Businessman Denis O'Brien has said remote working is a 'mistake' and graduates are 'entitled'; the Social Democrats have called for the voting age to be reduced to 16; and what are Pope Leo's favourite movies? Orla Ryan, news reporter with the Irish Times, and Joe O’Shea, editor of Cork Beo, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' butto...

Tom Keogh, founder of Keogh's Crisps, talks to Matt about being the overall family business winner at the Irish Family Business Awards. He also talks about the farming tradition on his family farm in North Country Dublin and why he diversified into crisps production at time when sales of Irish potatoes were in a down turn. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Ireland's shock 2-0 win against Portugal has kept their dreams of qualifying for next year's World Cup alive. Gavin Cooney, sportswriter with The42.ie , & former Ireland striker Tony Cascarino join The Last Word to discuss Thursday's incredible performance at the Aviva and to look ahead the team's final group game away to Hungary on Sunday. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on...

On Thursday, the government unveiled its new housing plan, promising a minimum of 300,000 new homes to be built by 2030. However, Sinn Féin has criticised the plan, with the party’s housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin saying that it was written for “big developers to benefit their private interests” and that “families have once again been ignored”. Mr. Ó Broin and Minister of State at the Department...

The Climate Change Advisory Council has said that carbon emissions in Ireland’s transport sector remain “stubbornly high” and that more will need to be done if the country is to achieve its 2030 climate targets. John Gibbons spoke to Matt on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.

Want to put your feet up while your house is cleaned? Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through some of the best smart vacuums on the market. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Chef and author Clodagh McKenna is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. She talks to Matt about her book, Clodagh's Happy Cooking. She also runs through her favourite music, movies, TV and books that other cultural treasures that have she returns to time and again. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

A major conference this week heard that Ireland has seen a significant rise in behavioural addictions including excessive gambling, screen use and online shopping. Professor Colin O’Gara, head of addiction services at St John Of God Hospital and clinical professor of psychiatry at UCD, joins The Last Word to discuss the rise in people presenting with addictions linked to their phone or devices. Ca...

Revenue has estimated that over 300,000 people are due an income tax refund which could be claimed back just before Christmas. People who filed a tax return last year got an average of €900 back into their pockets. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joined Matt on Wednesday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.