The Last Word with Matt Cooper

US President-elect Donald Trump has promised to impose hefty tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office, which he says is in retaliation for illegal immigration and “crime and drugs” coming into the US. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss Trump's tariff plans, the...

Musgraves, Tesco and Costcutter are among retailers who have said they are no longer stocking products linked to MMA fighter Conor McGregor following his civil rape trial. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss the business fallout for McGregor after Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him....

On Tuesday, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman spoke to The Last Word as the countdown to Friday’s general election continued. Matt asked him about the party’s climate targets, investment in infrastructure, and whether Tusla is fit for purpose following revelations that 53 children known to state services died in the space of three years. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversatio...

Episode 11: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 18 of the campaign, Aidan Delaney discusses Mary Lou McDonald's interview on The Last Word, a new opinion poll reveals challenges for Fine Gael, we discuss Simon Harris' 'viral video' interac...

The Last Word continued its series of party leader interviews on Monday, and this time Matt was joined by Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald. They discussed who Sinn Féin would be willing to go into government with, relations between Ireland and the USA and what can be done to improve the health service. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Ivana Bacik, leader of the Labour Party and candidate for Dublin Bay South joined the Last Word to outline her party's policies ahead of polling day. She spoke about forming a left alliance and whether she would consider a grand coalition of the left, the Labour Party policies on climate change and the dangers of being the junior coalition partner. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'pl...

Zach Tuohy, former Laois footballer and AFL player with Geelong and Carlton, has released his autobiography The Irish Experiment: From The GAA to the AFL. He spoke to Matt about his decision to pursue a career in professional sport, his life in Australia and what lies ahead in retirement. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their chat.

Episode 10: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 15 of the campaign, Sean Defoe is here to recap the second week of the campaign, Sinn Féin proposes a border poll, Independent Ireland is pledging 'green taxes' and People Before Profit discu...

Nikita Hand has won her civil rape case against MMA fighter Conor McGregor. The verdict came after a three-week trial during which Mr McGregor denied raping Ms Hand and insisted he had consensual sex with her. Today FM courts correspondent Frank Greaney, Cliona Saidléar, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network, and author Edel Coffey join The Last Word to discuss the landmark verdict. Hear t...

Richard Boyd Barrett, leader of People Before Profit, joined The Last Word for his leader interview ahead of the general election. He spoke to Matt about the prospect of a left-wing coalition government, his party's plans for a state construction company and Ireland's military neutrality. Listen back to the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Episode 9: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 14 of the campaign, Aontú launch their manifesto, Labour commits to their disability support pledges, Fianna Fáil launches a plan for Dublin North Inner City and Sinn Féin announces policies a...

Michael Collins, leader of Independent Ireland and candidate for Cork South-West, joined The Last Word for the latest general election leader interview. He spoke to Matt about what it means to have a political party made up of independents and his party's priorities when it comes to agriculture, immigration and protecting rural Ireland. Listen back to the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' b...

From TVs to laptops and smartphones, Andy O'Donoghue had a comprehensive guide to the best value deals ahead of Black Friday. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

As next Friday's general election edges closer, environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt for an in depth look at how each political party intends on tackling climate change, should they make it into government. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Artist Maser spoke to Matt about his origins as a street artist, creating his now iconic Repeal the 8th image and all his picks for favourite music, TV, movies and more. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Episode 8: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 13 of the campaign, Jessica Woodlock joins Ben to discuss Micheal Martin's interview on The Last Word, Sinn Féin is defending their call for an independent review of RTÉ's coverage of internat...

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is the latest party leader to be interviewed on The Last Word ahead of the general election on November 29th. The Fianna Fáil leader joined Matt in studio to discuss the cost of living, crime and policing and whether RTÉ should no longer be involved in GAA GO. Listen back to the full conversation by hitting the 'play' button on this page.

According to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Labour costs and skills shortages are leading to the rise in overall home rebuild costs. Meanwhile, Bank of Ireland is cutting its fixed mortgage rates by 0.5% from today which will be welcome news for customers. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, spoke to Matt on Wednesday’s personal finance slot. Hit the ‘P...

Episode 7: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 12 of the campaign, Ellen Butler is joining Ben to discuss last night's 10 person debate, Sinn Féin announces their manifesto, Fine Gael launches its health plan and a new plan to use the Appl...

With the general election campaign in full swing, political parties are making a range of spending promises as they attempt to sway voters. But all that could be in jeopardy following Donald Trump's US presidential win. John Deasy, former TD and former Irish government envoy to US Congress, and Dan O’Brien, chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, join The Last Word...

Ahead of his return to the White House, President-elect Donald Trump has made a number of controversial appointments and nominations to his administration. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss the individuals Trump has chosen for critical Cabinet posts and top White House jobs. Catch the full chat...

Last night, ten political party leaders took part in the first major televised debate of the 2024 general election campaign. It lasted just over two hours, but how well did each leader perform and is it likely to sway any voting preferences? Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post, joined The Last Word to analyse the standout moments. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Episode 6: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 11 of the campaign, Fine Gael doubles down on its support forJohn McGahon, The Green Party announces it would be happy to go into government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, People Before Profi...

The Sunday Independent has reported that Aer Lingus has asked its staff to take unpaid leave in the new year as it plans to restructure its ground operations department at Dublin Airport in 2025. Meanwhile, medical device company Abbott is due to open a new manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, creating 800 jobs. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joined Matt for Monday’s business news. H...

As political parties enter the second week of election campaigning, Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with The Irish Mirror, discussed the issues of the day including why Fine Gael is under fire for backing John McGahon as a candidate in Louth after images and video of a pub brawl were published online over the weekend. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.