The Last Word with Matt Cooper

On Thursday’s The Last Word, Matt and John Gibbons discussed whether implementing limits on data centres and passenger numbers at Dublin Airport will help or hinder Ireland’s economic progress. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Author of 'The Girl On The Train' Paula Hawkins joins The Last Word to discuss her new mystery thriller 'The Blue Hour' which is very different to her previous work. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

How can you use tech to make your kitchen smarter? Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the best kitchen tech and gadgets to improve your kitchen. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

New figures from the CSO show that house prices rose by more than 10% in the year to August, the fastest rate of increase in more than two years. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss rising house prices and challenges in increasing housing supply. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

On Wednesday’s The Last Word, Matt was joined by Nicola Hanney, who released her autobiography “Stronger: What Didn’t Kill Me, Made Me”. She recounted the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner Paul Moody, who was sentenced to three years and three months for coercive control. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Independent, explained why motor insurance premiums are 15 times the rate of inflation, how energy credits will be received by customers, and new research that shows that less than one third of mortgage holders have considered switching. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Joe Canning is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers to ever play the game. He has released his autobiography ‘My Story’ and joined Matt to discuss his club and intercounty career, the influence his family had on him, and whether he was tempted to rejoin the Galway setup to play under Henry Shefflin. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Donald Trump is ramping up his racist and fascist statements with just three weeks to go in the US presidential campaign. Marion McKeone and Cal Thomas join The Last Word to discuss the Republican candidate's increasingly chilling rhetoric about immigrants and the 'radical left'. Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

From Everest base camp to Skellig Michael, Sarah Slattery, thetravelexpert.ie, had a rundown of all the best adventure holiday destinations and activities. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

On The Last Word on TV and Streaming this week Matt is joined by Joe O'Shae and Aisling Bonner to chat about everything new in the world of tv this week. With Traitors coming to Ireland, the new season of Gra ar an Tra being pulled days before release and rumours of who will be in I'm A Celeb Jungle, there is plenty to talk about.

Former Irish Rugby International Johnny Sexton spoke to Matt about his career with Ireland and Leinster, the impact of concussion on rugby players, and his new autobiography, Obsessed. To catch the interview, press the 'play' button on this page.

New research from the Central Bank has found that one in twenty buildings in Ireland struggle to get insurance for flooding, and that this issue could worsen in the future. Ian Guider, Columnist with the Business Post, spoke to Matt about this and the how shares in Flutter and other UK bookmakers have fallen, on Monday’s business news. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Sinn Féin has received criticism for how it handled an allegation made against former member Brian Stanley. The matter has since been passed on to the gardaí. Matt was joined by Editor of the Business Post, Daniel McConnell, and the Irish Examiner’s Special Correspondent, Michael Clifford, to assess how this will impact the party. For further discussion, Matt then spoke to Pa Daly, Justice Spokesp...

The Week Trending with Ben Finnegan and Sarah McGuinness this week chatting about the suspected spy in the Oireachtas, calls for road signs As Gaeilge, and Portugal’s tax incentives for young people.

Next week’s interprovincial series will trial new rules in an attempt to improve the game of Gaelic football. So, what are they, and could they make the sport more entertaining? Michael Foley, sportswriter with the Sunday Times and the Irish Independent’s GAA Correspondent, Colm Keys, discussed it with Matt. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Psychologist Allison Keating's new book, 'It's All Too Much, aims to guide people who are overwhelmed, anxious or stressed out by modern life. She joins The Last Word to discuss practical tools that can help with anxiety, stress and panic attacks. Listen to the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Dr Illona Duffy and Andy O’Donoghue spoke to Matt for an extended Tech Thursday where they discussed how technology is advancing GP care and at home care and assessed home testing kits. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

On this week's environment slot, commentator John Gibbons spoke to Matt about the impact that Hurricane Milton has had on Florida. Here in Ireland, national parks are set to get legal status in the hope of providing them with greater protections. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has doubled down on her theory that the weather can be controlled, despite experts debunking her statements. Does she actually believe what she’s saying, or is it a cynical move in order to whip up populism? That’s a question Matt posed to nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas on Thursday’s programme. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Matt was joined by author and playwright Michael Harding, author of “I Loved Him From The Day He Died”. The memoir focuses on the relationship he had with his father, who died when Harding was 23. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Poet and playwright Rita Ann Higgins is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. She discussed her new collection The Long Weekend and the music, books, and films that have been influential in her life and work. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Electric vehicle sales are continuing to plummet with new figures showing that they are down by 25% so far this year. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss why demand for EVs has dropped so much and more of the day's business news. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

John Caddel and Dee Reddy join Matt for your weekly music round up. Picks of the week, Pink Floyd updates and so much more!

Paul Tweed is a leading defamation lawyer who has won cases for stars like Britney Spears. His new book 'From Holywood to Hollywood' reflects on his life protecting the reputations of the rich and famous. Tweed joins The Last Word to discuss his career and his call for governments to take action against Big Tech and AI. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Florida residents have been advised to evacuate their homes as the state braces itself for Hurricane Milton. Meanwhile, Elon Musk attracted attention after his appearance at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with the Business Post and nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas joined Matt for Tuesday’s update on all that’s happening in the US.