The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Fred Trump, author of All In The Family: The Trumps And How We Got This Way and nephew of former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump, joins The Last Word to talk about his new book, the makings of the Trump family and the future of America with the possibility of his Uncle returning to the oval office. To get the full interview hit the 'play' button below...

Following remarks made by former president Trump last night, where he said Kamala Harris only recently "turned black", Law Professor with the University of Galway and columnist with the Journal.ie , Larry Donnelly joins Matt to discuss the damage this may do to Trump's campaign. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Eoin O Broin, Sinn Féin TD and spokesperson on housing outlined the details of Affordable Homes Plan and how the party believes it can deliver started homes at €300,000. Conor O’Connell, Director of Housing and Planning at the Construction Federation of Ireland explained the challenges faced by the industry in delivering homes, such as infrastructure constraints and a the slow pace of planning per...

Earth Overshoot Day 2024, the temperatures at this year’s Olympics and how climate change is impacting tea and coffee supplies were just some of the topics discussed on this week’s environment slot with John Gibbons. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

Lynne Parker, artistic director of Rough Magic Theatre Company, joins The Last Word for The Culture Club where she discusses her favourite cultural choices. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Bank of Ireland has reported a profit of €1.1bn profit before tax in the first half of 2024, an increase of 5 per cent, helped by higher interest rates. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this and they day's other business news stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan today published the All-Island Rail Review which aims to “significantly” reduce train journey times and increase the number of direct services between several areas of the country. He joined Matt to explain the plans. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal, join The Last Word to discuss the biggest news stories from the US including Donald Trump's suggestion that he would end elections if he returns to the White House. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Author Chris Whitaker discusses his latest novel, All The Colours Of The Dark. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below

Irish singer CMAT has been nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize for her album Crazymad, For Me. Dee Reddy and John Caddell spoke to Matt about that and the rest of the music stories making the headlines this week. Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo Michael Ring has announced that he will not contest the next general election after serving for 30 years in Dáil Eireann. He spoke to Matt to explain why he made the decision. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

The Dolomites mountain range in Italy can be a year round destination with hiking and cycling in the summer and skiing in the winter. Sinéad Kennedy, travel expert and author of Life is a Cycle, joins The Last Word to discuss the best things to do and places to stay in this beautiful area. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Joe O'Shea and Elaine Burke join The Last Word to discuss this weeks top picks in TV and streaming as well as a review of the Olympic Opening Ceremony and the news that Eanna Hardwicke is to play Roy Keane in an upcoming film

Tributes are continuing to pour out for Irish writer Edna O'Brien who passed away over the weekend. Journalist, Lara Marlowe and film maker and writer Sinead O'Shea join Matt to discuss her life, career and her impact on Ireland.

Sinead O’Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie , joined Matt to talk about the stories that have been making headlines ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. Up for discussion was Sarah Lavin & Shane Lowry being selected as Ireland’s flag bearers, the inclusion of Steven van de Velde in the Dutch volleyball team, and Charlotte Dujardin stepping down from the British dressage side. Hit the ‘Play’ button o...

Jim Waldron, Spokesperson for the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, discussed the reviews into passenger safety measures in taxis after the conviction and sentencing of rapist Raymond Shorten. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below.

Have you considered retrofitting your home, but you're not sure of the steps involved in the process? Matt was joined by Dr. Ciaran Byrne, the SEAI’s Director of National Retrofit, to explain what’s involved. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

133 Irish athletes will take part in this year’s Paris Olympics, but which events do we have the best medal hopes in? Matt spoke to Gavin Cooney, Sportswriter with The42.ie and Neil O’Riordan, Chief Sportswriter with The Irish Sun, to preview the coming weeks. Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Frank Greaney, Today FM courts correspondent, joins The Last Word to discuss the second sentencing of the taxi driver Raymond Shorten. In June, Shorten was found guilty of raping two female passengers in the back of his cab in 2022. To hear the full discussion press the 'Play' button on this page.

Andy O'Donoghue explained how technology in sport has evolved to revolutionised sporting events such as Wimbledon and The Olympic Games. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below

Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt for The Last Word’s weekly environment slot. up for discussion was climate protests at Frankfurt airport, and can the Paris Olympics meet their target of being the greenest games ever? Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Willie White, director of the Dublin Theatre Festival, joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. He discusses his favourite music, movies, tv and of course theatre. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Maureen Callahan, journalist and author of Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed, talks about her expose of the generations of men from the Kennedy political dynasty and how they treated the women in their lives.

Cabinet have approved a deal on the future funding of RTÉ which will see the broadcaster receive €725 million in public money over three years. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss where this money will come from and what it will be used for. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Department of Finance officials have advised the government that congestion charges and car parking levies should not be implemented in Ireland until adequate public transport and other alternatives are made available to road users. Matt spoke to Fianna Fáil TD Paul McAuliffe & climate and environmental researcher Sadhbh O’Neill about this. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conver...