The Last Word with Matt Cooper

US President Donald Trump wasted no time after his inauguration on Monday, as he issued a full pardon for January 6th rioters and withdrew the US from the World Health Organisation and the Paris climate agreement in a slew of executive orders. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss what Trump has do...

Darwin Nunez scored two injury time goals against Brentford as Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Meanwhile, Man United suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton on Sunday, leaving Ruben Amorim’s side in 13th place and leading him to say that this side is possibly the worst in the club’s history. Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with the Independent and Will O...

On Monday, Donald Trump became the 47th US President. In his speech, President Trump criticised Joe Biden’s presidency, declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and said that as of Monday, it will be official policy of the US government that there are only two genders – male and female. Cal Thomas & Marion McKeone joined Matt on The Last Word to give their reaction to his speech....

What's going to happen with the US TikTok ban, why did cherry tomatoes on a Dublin bridge send social media into a frenzy, and who's going (or more importantly, who isn't going) to Donald Trump's inauguration? Aoife Barry, journalist, and Russell Alford, 98FM producer and food critic for Sunday Times as one half of GastroGays, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the fu...

The Department of Education has contacted several schools In Ireland to say that they can’t award exemptions for studying Irish based on psychological reports alone. This decision comes as the number of students receiving exemptions issued by school principals has risen. Carl O’Brien, Education Editor at the Irish Times and Séaghan Ó Suilleabheán, Irish language presenter and content creator, join...

US President Joe Biden delivered his exit speech on Wednesday night, issuing a warning about a concentration of wealth in the United States. Matt spoke to Marion McKeone and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway & Columnist with TheJournal.ie , about his comments. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

The next government will consist of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Regional Independent Group and Independent TDs Michael and Danny Healy-Rae. How does their programme for government impact climate change? Environment commentator John Gibbons spoke to Matt on Thursday’s The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.

MM fighter Conor McGregor has been ordered by the High Court not to publish or share the CCTV footage shown during the recent civil action taken by Nikita Hand. Frank Greaney joins The Last Word to outline what was heard in court.

Irish hospitals took in almost €16 million in car parking charges in 2023 according to a new report from Irish Country Living. Hospital parking remains a burden on sick people and their families despite Taoiseach Simon Harris promising in 2020 that the charges would be capped at €10 per day. Ciara Leahy, editor of Irish Country Living, joins The Last Word to discuss the report. Catch the full chat...

A deal for the next government was agreed between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Regional Independent Group and Independent TDs Michael & Danny Healy Rae. Micheál Martin will be Taoiseach until November 2027, with Simon Harris taking over for the remaining two years of the government’s term. Matt was joined by Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill, Padraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal...

Roisín O’Donnell has just released her debut novel, Nesting, a tense exploration of one women’s attempts to get away from a coercive partner, and a portrait of life inside the housing system. In the culture club, she spoke to Matt about the books, movies, music and TV that have influenced her.

January is often considered 'divorce month' as the new year see lots of couples take the first steps towards splitting up. Michelle Brown, divorce consultant, specialist family mediator and author of Scars of Divorce, joins The Last Word to discuss how to get a divorce in Ireland while keeping the costs down and relationships as amicable as possible. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' butt...

Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, and Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, join The Last Word to discuss the devastating LA fires and preparations for President Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Charity shops across Ireland have seen an increase in clothing donations purchased from fast fashion sites such as Shein, some of which have never been worn. Is fast fashion taken seriously enough when it comes to environmental and labour issues? Broadcaster and content creator Fionnuala Jones joined Matt on The Last Word to discuss this. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their conversati...

A study in England and Wales has suggested that there has been an increase in the proportion of women seeking abortions, despite using “natural” methods of preventing pregnancy, such as fertility tracking apps. How accurate are these apps, and how much data is stored on them? Dr. Laura Cullen, Cork GP and Director of Women’s Health with the Irish College of General Practitioners and Elaine Burke,...

Man United knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Sunday, bringing a miserable week to an end for Mikel Arteta’s side. With the North London derby just two days away, can Arsenal rediscover their form? Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent and Off The Ball’s Will O’Callaghan joined Matt on Monday to discuss the weekend's results. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the co...

The Commercial Court has heard that Michael Flatley is willing to repay a €5.6million loan at the centre of a dispute with a lender. It was made to Blackbird Film Productions Ltd by Novellus Finance Ltd, who says there has been default on repayment. Mr. Flatley denies this. Peter O’Dwyer, Head of News at the Business Post, joined Matt for Monday’s business news. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page...

The high cost of childcare is driving people, particularly women, out of the workforce and is damaging recruitment according to a new survey from Dublin Chamber. Karen Clince, chief executive of Tigers Childcare, and Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME, join The Last Word to discuss the challenge faced by employers and what can be done to address high childcare costs. Catch the full chat by pr...

Sarah Slattery, from travelexpert.ie , joins The Last Word to give her rundown on the best January travel deals on offer. She has great tips from flight sales, cruises or bucket list trips to the Maldives, Barbados or Disneyland. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Ben Finnegan, Today FM news anchor, and Orla Ryan, news correspondent with TheJournal.ie, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories including weather warnings, the Los Angeles fires, and Elon Musk's latest attempts to influence world politics. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

How nutritional are hot school meals actually? Food policy consultant Ruth Hegarty joins Matt and Principal Regina Halpin to discuss the concerns around hot school meals and their impact on school children.

The average mortgage loan is now over €300,000 according to a new survey from MyHome.ie, but many homes cost much more than that. So how are buyers making up the difference? Michael Dowling, managing director of Dowling Financial joins The Last Word to discuss the phenomenon of the 'bank of mum and dad' helping first time buyers to get on the property ladder. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'P...

Tech journalist Andy O’Donoghue was back on The Last Word to explain how to get the best out of your tech and the most effective methods of starting a digital detox. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Singer Jerry Fish joins The Last Word this week for the Culture Club! He talks about his favourite music, books, movies and more as well as discussing his new album 'Dreaming of Daniel' featuring MayKay. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Owen Reidy, General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and Julie Galbraith, Head of Employment Law, Eversheds Sutherland discuss hybrid working in Ireland and the legislation around the right to request remote working. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.