The Last Word with Matt Cooper

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.

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 Spokesperson for Sinn Féin and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Fine Gael TD and Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs and Defence.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Over 40,000 lives have been lost so far.On the anniversary of the Oct 7th attacks by Hamas, Alex Thomson joins Matt from Israel as further Hezbollah attacks continue.Hannah McCarthy and Declan Power join Matt to discuss the situation as it continues to progress.

For many when they go on holidays the food experience is just as important as the sites and activities.That's certainly the case for Russell Alford, co-restaurant critic at The Sunday Times and one half of the Gastro Gays. He joins The Last Word to discuss some of his top foodie destinations. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Billy Hann, CEO of Dublin Bus, joined Matt to discuss the 20-week pilot scheme for Dublin Bus aimed at curbing the rise of anti-social behaviour on public transport.He also discussed the estimated costs of a contactless ticketing system for public transport.To catch the full conversation, press the ‘play’ button on this page.

Does Kamala Harris need to step up before the election? Who are the polls favouring?Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join Matt to discuss this weeks US election updates and where both candidates stand in the lead up to election day.

John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the outlines of the environmental protection agency report and the deficits that have been highlighted in policy programs laid out.

Two years ago, Bernard Phelan was arrested in Iran and detained in a notorious prison for seven months after being falsely accused of spying.Phelan recounts this terrifying experience in a new book 'You Will Die In Prison' and he joins The Last Word to discuss.Hear the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Education Minister Norma Foley spoke to Matt following Tuesday's Budget 2025 and proposals to spend €9m on a scheme for mobile phone pouches for secondary schools.Andy O'Donoghue reacted to the proposal and outlined how the scheme has worked in other countries.To catch the full conversation, press the play button below.

This week on The Last Word On The US, Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join Matt to discuss the Vice President debate between JD Vance and Tim Waltz.

Illustrator and musician David Rooney joined Matt for the Culture Club this week, where he discussed the inspiration for his book, The Story Of The Great Irish Famine.To listen to the conversation, press the play button on this page.

Ireland's fiscal watchdog has slammed Budget 2025, calling on the Government to get "serious" and avoid repeating "the boom-to-bust pattern of its past."Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council's reaction to the budget and other business news.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Lots of money was given out in Budget 2025 but has it done enough to tackle high costs?Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss whether you are really any better off after the giveaway budget. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

It's The Budget 2025!Matt is joined by representatives from 4 sectors; Restaurants Association, Construction Confederation, Retail Excellence Ireland and National Women's Council to discuss the impact of the Budget on their businesses and representatives.

It's the Budget 2025 special!Matt is joined by Dan O’Brien, Chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, Holly Cairns, Social Democrats leader and Ged Nash, Labour finance spokesperson, to discuss who the Budget will actually benefit, and are we are set for another crash due to the dependence on the multinational sector?

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth and Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman joins The Last Word to discuss Budget 2025 including housing, childcare and whether the Green Party would be happy to go back into the same coalition after the election.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers joins The Last Word to discuss Budget 2025 including the USC cut, the €2.2 billion cost of living package and the supports for businesses.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment gave her reaction to today’s Budget 2025 announcement.She told Matt that if Sinn Féin were to get into government, their budget would be targeted at people on ordinary wages.Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, today unveiled its multi-billion euro Budget for 2025.Ian Guider Columnist with the Business Post, Nancy Fallon, Tax Partner at KPMG and Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post joined Matt to break down where the government’s finances will be spent over the coming year.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe joins The Last Word to discuss Budget 2025, including a record health budget, investment in infrastructure and what will be done with the Apple tax. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Ian Guider, Columnist with the Business Post, joined Matt for Monday’s business news.Up for discussion was how inflation in Ireland has dropped to a three-year low, Ryanair cutting 14 winter routes from Dublin Airport and Bank of Ireland appointing Akshaya Bhargava as its new chairman.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation

On Tuesday, a €2bn Budget 2025 package is set to be unveiled by Finance Minister Jack Chambers.What should we expect from it, and how will it benefit your day-to-day spending?Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post, looked ahead at what’s to come.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Getting out of the country around the Halloween holidays can be super expensive.So Sarah Slattery has the best Halloween breaks closer to home.

Ian Guider spoke to Matt on Friday’s business news about how Meta has been fined €91m by the Data Protection Commission following an investigation into the storage of passwords.Meanwhile, a review by DNG has found that house prices in Dublin have risen by 8.4% over the past 12 months.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Former guard and author of Traces of Truth, Ciaran Prior joins Matt to discuss his life as a crime scene investigator within the force.

Plans to cut university parking spaces, the phenomenon of Sally Rooney and the death of Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith.Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, and Roe McDermott, advice columnist with the Irish Times, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Brian Lloyd joins Mario to chat about Francis Ford Coppola's new release Megalopolis; a movie that has been postponed since the 80s.

Minister Heather Humphreys has briefed the cabinet on new regulations to ban the importation, breeding and sale of XL Bully Dogs. Dog Behaviourist Suzi Walsh and Veterinary Officer James Madden join Mario to discuss whether this is the correct solution.

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the best digital and Bluetooth radios to allow you listen to your favourite shows.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Sinéad Crowley joins Matt in the studio for this week's Culture Club and to discuss the release of her new book Author of A Maid on Fifth Avenue.Subscribe to The Ray Foley Podcast wherever you get your podcast!

Three Wagamama restaurants in Dublin have closed after receivers were appointed to the restaurants that are part of the Press Up Group.Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss this and more in the business news.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!