The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with The Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss US President Joe Biden's legacy, Kamal Harris' presidential campaign and why the US secret service boss has resigned? To catch the full chat press the 'Play' button on this page!

On this week’s music slot, Matt wanted to know what ‘Brat Summer’ is, following the recent release of Charli XCX’s new album ‘Brat’. Dee Reddy and John Caddell were on hand to explain. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Sunday 21 July was the hottest day ever recorded globally, according to preliminary data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather joined The Last Word to discuss this new record and explain where the Irish summer has gone. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Covid-19 infection rates are as high as they were during the 2021 winter surge. Matt spoke to Monaghan GP Dr. Illona Duffy about the impact that the virus is having on patients. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

AN interesting set of results from the first quarter of the financial year for Ryanair as they see profits slide. Will this mean summer fares will be slashed? Plus Kildare village shopping centre makes the news with new ownership.

Clare became All-Ireland hurling champions for the fifth time in their history after they defeated Cork after extra-time at Croke Park.   Matt and Will O’Callaghan of Off The Ball & The Hurling Pod spoke to former Limerick hurler Joe Quaid and former All-Ireland winner with Clare Jamesie O’Connor about the result. Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to listen to the chat.

On Sunday, Joe Biden announced he is to step down from US presidential election. Matt was joined by Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with the Business Post, nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway Larry Donnelly, and Anthony Scaramucci from The Rest is Politics US podcast to discuss what lies ahead in the remaining 4 months of the election campaign. Hit...

Frank Greaney, Today FM courts correspondent, joins The Last Word to give details on the sentencing of taxi driver Raymond Shorten for the rape of a seven-year-old child. To hear the full discussion hit the 'Play' button on this page.

Matt is joined this week by Lise Hand and Ben Finnegan to discuss   the trending topics of the week. Should Politicians be photographed with pints? Why has Gaelic Football has been added to intangible heritage database? And why did the Parisian Mayor take a plunge in the Seine?

Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway & Political Columnist with TheJournal.ie and US Correspondent with the Business Post, Marion McKeone, joined Matt to discuss how Joe Biden is facing calls to step down from the US Presidential race. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Barra Roantree from Trinity College Dublin and Minister of State for Financial Services, Neale Richmond join Matt to discuss the likelihood of any changes in inheritance tax in the 2025 budget.

Dermot O’Leary, General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, joined Matt to discuss a number of antisocial incidents that have recently occurred on bus routes in Co. Limerick, and what can be done to help drivers in such situations. Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full conversation.

Should blockbuster movies that feature extreme weather events focus more on explaining the effects of climate change? That’s a question commentator John Gibbons asked on this week’s environment slot. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Leading food economists say reducing herds is not the way to go in the fight against climate change. Food economist Ciaran Fitzgerald and ecologist Padraic Fogarty join Matt to discuss the issue.

Gearoid Farrelly joins Matt for this week's Culture Club ahead of his show at the Paddy Power Comedy Festival.

Andy O'Donoghue explains why learning coding is beneficial for kids and gives a run down of the best Apps to learn coding and how your kids can begin with creating their own Apps. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below.

Ian Guider of the Business Post joins Matt to discuss the top business stories of the day include a spike in office spaces being rented in Dublin The Last Word on Business with thanks to Forvis Mazars, the next exciting chapter for Mazars. Same local team, new global reach. Press the 'play' button below to catch up on the full conversation...

Marion McKewon and Cal Thomas join Matt Cooper to discuss a busy week in American politics, including the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump and the addition of JD Vance to the republican presidential ticket

After gardaí were called to investigate an alleged assault at an under-15 hurling match in Co. Waterford this week, former President of the GAA Liam O’Neill said that not enough is being done to tackle violence at GAA matches. He and Sinéad O’Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie , spoke to Matt about the issue. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Following violent protests that broke out at the former Crown Paints factory location in Coolock yesterday, 30 have been arrested and 19 charged in relation to public order offences. Conor Lally, Crime and Secutrity Editor of the Irish Times, joins Matt to discuss what took place today in the aftermath of the incident. Trina O'Connor, Criminologist and Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fail Senator and Leader...

Where should you be jetting off to? Sarah Slattery has all the best deals on the market for your next summer break!

"Trump has become the victim of the violence he did so much to fuel. But his shooting won't make him think twice about his approach to politics" Irish Times columnist, Fintan O'Toole joins Matt, to discuss the fall out from the attempted assassination former president Trump. Larry Donnelly and Marion McKeone also join us to discuss Biden's statement on the events.

The State is due to spend €1.5bn annually on defence by 2028, but should that figure be increased? According to Fine Gael TD & Minister of State for European Union Affairs and Defence Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, it should. She and People Before Profit - Solidarity TD Mick Barry joined Matt to discuss the idea. Press ‘Play’ on this page to hear the conversation.

Matt is joined by James Lawless, the new Minister for State at the Department of Transport. The Junior Minister is on to speak about Drew Harris’ recommendation for graduated penalty points How can the Department deal with rising road deaths? Hit ‘play’ to find out more

The government has announced that a ban on XL bully dogs will be implemented in two phases from October 2024 and February 2025. Matt spoke to Fianna Fáil senator Erin McGreehan and Martina Kenny from My Lovely Horse Rescue about the decision. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the discussion.