The Last Word with Matt Cooper

New figures released by Eurostat show that Ireland is now the second most expensive country in the EU for goods and services. Meanwhile, the prices of alcohol and tobacco are more than double the EU average, making them the most expensive in the EU. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent and Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, join...

Lord Henry Mount Charles, the man who introduced concerts at his iconic home of Slane Castle in Co. Meath, has died. His death was announced on Thursday morning after fighting “a long and valiant battle with cancer”. There have been 26 concerts altogether which included U2, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen. Lise Hand and John Caddell spoke to Ian Guider about the lega...

Sky Ireland has warned dodgy box users of “consequences” if they’re caught illegally streaming through their so-called dodgy boxes. Tech expert Andy O’Donoghue spoke to Ian Guider on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Planning permission has been sought for 439 purpose-built student bed spaces in Clonskeagh, Dublin 6. The site is just 1km from UCD’s main campus, but it has been met with opposition from residents. Ian Guider joined Will O’Callaghan for Wednesday’s business news. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

On this week’s Culture Club, Will O’Callaghan was joined by Ian Leslie, author of the acclaimed book ‘John and Paul: A Love Story In Songs’. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all his choices.

Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent had some tips on how to manage costs when hiring a car abroad. Charlie also explained why an almost 50% increase in cattle prices could be passed on to the consumer in terms of food inflation. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

A study from the Anti-Bullying Centre at DUC has found that banning smartphones in schools has little or no impact on education, the wellbeing of students or online bullying. Dr Megan Reynolds, Postdoctoral Researcher at Dublin City University and Lead Author outlined the findings of the report. To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who was charged with a terror offence in May by the Metropolitan Police, has been released on unconditional bail and will reappear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 20th. The 27-year-old, whose stage name is Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November 2024. Emily Keegan, Today FM’s Multimedia Reporter, joined W...

US President Donald Trump left a meeting of G7 leaders in Canada early after warning that "everyone should evacuate Tehran" as attacks between Israel and Iran continue to escalate. Marion McKeone and Larry Donnelly join The Last Word to discuss all of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

New legislation introducing an opt-out system of consent for organ donation in Ireland has come into effect. Priscilla Lynch, clinical editor with the Medical Independent, and Joe O’Brien, executive director at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, join The Last Word to discuss how this new system will work. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Club World Cup kicked off over the weekend and on Sunday, Bayern Munich hammered Auckland City 10-0. After gruelling domestic seasons and ever-increasing fixture schedules, is the appetite there – from both players and fans alike – for another major football tournament? Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, spoke to Will O’Callaghan on Monday. Hit the ‘Play’ button on thi...

As the National Economic Dialogue took place in Dublin Castle, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe warned of ‘dark clouds’ on Ireland’s economic horizon. Daniel McConnell, editor, Business Post and Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions discussed concerns raised over Ireland’s reliance on corporation tax and the threats ahead to economic security. To catch the full conver...

Sinéad Kennedy, travel expert and host of Wellness Activity Breaks, joins The Last Word to talk all about her recent visit to Tunisia and why she thinks it the ideal trip for holidaymakers looking to explore beyond typical sun destinations. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Greta Thunberg and other activists on a Gaza-bound boat are deported by Israel, a Democratic US Senator is arrested and handcuffed at an immigration briefing in LA, and the Confirmation pledge gets a 21st century update. Author and journalist Aoife Barry and Eoghan Thomas McDermott, managing director at the Communications Clinic, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the...

In the Last Word on Business, Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, explained why EriGrid's chairman in a statement said nuclear power generation should be considered. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

To mark the 200th episode of The Last Word’s environment slot, Matt conducted a Q&A with John Gibbons with all the queries coming from you, the listeners. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all of John’s answers.

Manchán Magan joins The Last Word to discuss the forgotten presence of Irish monks, migrants and storytellers in Iceland and how the two island nations have more in common than is often remembered. He uncovers all of this in his latest book 'Ireland in Iceland: Gaelic Remnants in a Nordic Land'. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to continue his review of the best home security equipment and this time he has tech for inside the home, including smoke alarms, water leak detectors and smart plugs. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Writer and actor Peter Hanly spoke to Matt about his upcoming play What Are You Afraid Of? A well known actor of stage, TV and film for many years, the play deals with Peter's experience of stage-fright and the impact on his career. Peter also discussed his favourite books, music, TV, film and more. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

10 per cent of Irish households have a net wealth of more than €1 million while the bottom 10 per cent are worth less than €2,400, according to new figures from Central Statistics Office. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this CSO data and more of the latest business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

According to research carried out by Raisin Bank, the average budget for a wedding in Ireland is between €10,000 and €20,000. It also found that 45% of those surveyed were willing to go into debt to cover the cost of the big day, with 1 in 4 couples spending up to €50,000. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, spoke to Matt on Wednesday. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this...

Sarah Slattery from travelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to talk through her top tips and accessories in order to have a five-star travel experience this summer. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of the Marine Corps to Los Angeles as protests over immigration raids continue across the city. Marion McKeone and Larry Donnelly join The Last Word to discuss the escalating tensions in LA and more of the latest news from the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

AsIAm and PTSB have launched the 2025 Autism Friendly Towns Initiative, which asks villages, towns and cities around Ireland to become genuinely inclusive to autistic people in their communities. Adam Harris, Chief Executive of AsIAm, joined Matt on Tuesday to explain the initiative further and highlight how you can get involved. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Cork put a stop to Limerick’s bid for 7 Munster titles in a row on Saturday night when they beat John Kiely’s side after extra time and penalties. Elsewhere, Kilkenny made it 6 titles in a row in Leinster as they overcame Galway at Croke Park on Sunday. Matt spoke to Off The Ball’s Will O’Callaghan and John McIntyre about the weekend’s action. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.