The Last Word with Matt Cooper

In light of a number of recent court cases the Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said that there is an 'epidemic' of violence against women in Ireland.Noeline Blackwell, solicitor, and Louise Crowley, director of the Bystander Intervention programme, join The Last Word to discuss how gender based violence can be better prevented and how victims can be better supported.Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

What do you think of the RTE summer schedule?Elaine and Joe discuss the number of repeats on the RTE summer schedule, the scathing reviews of season 3 of The Bear and the new 80s movie star documentary.

Eimear Higgins has approached Dublin city council to pause the introduction of a traffic management plan due to concerns for the impact on jobs and retail sales in the city. CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney and Green party Councillor for Dublin City Council Michael Pidgeon, join Matt to discuss the updates.

This week Sarah Slattery, from the travelexpert.ie, is taking us off to Ibiza for this weeks last word on travel.To catch up on the conversation, click the 'play' button below...

French political parties are attempting to create a united front after the National Rally’s victory in the first round of snap elections on Sunday.Journalist and author Lara Marlowe joined Matt to explain the repercussions of this result on a national and European level.Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Taylor Swift, Pride, All-Ireland quarter finals and gigs all over the city are expected to bring more than 600,000 people to Dublin this weekend.To discuss this and the rest of the week's trending stories, Today FM's Cathal O'Sullivan and Orla Ryan, news correspondent with TheJournal.ie, join The Last Word.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

There are growing calls for US President Joe Biden to bow out of the presidential race following his performance in a TV debate against Donald Trump.Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, and Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with TheJournal.ie, join The Last Word to analyse the first debate between Biden and Trump.Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the latest technology to level up summer BBQs and make any outdoor space perfect for entertaining.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

John Gibbons joins the Last Word for our weekly spot on the environment to discuss how climate change could become a threat to sporting activities according to a new study from the UK

Orlando Whitfield, former art dealer and author joins Matt to discuss his new book All That Glitters. Inigo Philbrick, the art dealer who was sentenced to 7 years in prison, is the subject of the novel that uncovers hidden truths about the art world.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has said that a review of taxation on all vehicles must be taken if Ireland is to meet its carbon emission reduction targets.Andrew Murphy, member of the Climate Change Advisory Council, and Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland, spoke to Matt about the recommendations that were made.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full conversation.

Lorcan Allen has this week's business news; The naming rights to Old Trafford might be going up for sale.What will Jack Chambers make with the IBEC joining with The Central Bank?And 80 operational wind farms are being shut down, so how will we still meet environmental targets?

Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, joined The Last Word for the Culture Club to discuss his favourite music, movies, television and more. Press the 'Play' button on this page to hear his choices!

Former Finance Minister Michael McGrath responds to his nomination as the Irish EU Commissioner and reflects on his time at the Department of Finance.To catch the full conversation, press the 'Play' button below.

Figures released by Eurostat have revealed that Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in the European Union for goods and services.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joined Matt to explain why prices here are 42 per cent higher than the average across Europe.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

What are we looking for from Trump and Biden in Thursday's debate?Cal Thomas, and Marion McKeone join Ian to discuss the run up to the first presidential debate.

Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent for the Irish Times joins the Last Word to discuss The Irish Defence Force's review into personnel with convictions for gender based and or domestic violence.to catch the full conversation, hit the 'play' button below...

Government has signed off on €20 million in funding for RTÉ after the broadcaster published its new vision for the futureDirector General of RTÉ Kevin Bakhurst joined The Last Word to discuss future funding and the five-year strategy for the organisation.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Legendary GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh has died aged 93. His career began in 1949 when he commentated on the Railway Cup final and continued up to 2010, where he retired after the All-Ireland senior football final between Cork and Down.Ian Guider spoke to Sean Kelly, Fine Gael MEP and former President of the GAA, about the life of an iconic figure in the GAA.Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

The battle to replace Eamon Ryans as Green Party Leader continues. Ian speak to Pippa Hackett on her campaign for the role.

As we hit the half way point of 2024, Elaine Burke and Joe O'Shea join us to discuss the best that TV and streaming has had to offer so far this year.To catch the full discussion, press the 'play' button below...

Film-maker and novelist Neil Jordan talks about his life and experience of working in Hollywood and his latest book, Amnesiac: A Memoir.To catch the full conversation, press the 'Play' button below.

A survey conducted by An Taisce on behalf of Irish Business Against Litter found that litter from cans and bottles has reduced significantly around Ireland since the introduction of the deposit return scheme.Ian Guider was joined by Conor Horgan from IBAL to discuss this.Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

Last week, Ireland won two gold and two silver medals at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. It was the most successful championships since 1998.Athletics journalist Cathal Dennehy joined Ian Guider to discuss the financial challenges that athletes and coaches face in this country, and how more investment is needed in the sport to help development.Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

Eamon Ryan steps down from the Green Party, heatwaves sweeping Europe and beyond and Taylor Swift is a 'Derry girl'.Ian Power, CEO of Spunout.ie, and Roe McDermott, Irish Times advice columnist, joined The Last Word to discuss the week's biggest trending stories.

Criminologist Trina O'Connor and Kate Mitchell, Head of Development and Policy for The National Women's Council of Ireland, discuss the suspended sentence handed down to Cathal Crotty after his conviction for the assault of Natasha O'Brien in Limerick where she was left unconscious. To catch the full conversation, press the 'Play' button below.

With two weeks to go before the UK general election, Nick Ferrari joins Ian to discuss the projections that Sunak may become the first ever sitting PM to lose his own seat in a general election.

Kneecap have been granted leave by the Belfast High Court to proceed with a judicial review after the UK government blocked them from receiving their funding award.Dee Reddy joins Ian to discuss the outcome of this court case for the music scene.

Have you ever wondered what your pet is trying to tell you? Andy O’Donoghue joins the Last Word for this week's Tech Thursday to discuss the possibility that AI could translate what your pet is saying.For the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Two people have been arrested after Just Stop Oil activists sprayed powder on Stonehenge.John Gibbons joined Ian Guider to discuss the fallout from the protest and also gave his reaction to the news that Eamon Ryan will step down as leader of the Green Party.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Thousands of passengers will see their travel plans affected next week as Aer Lingus pilots begin their industrial action on Wednesday, 26th June.Travel commentator Eoghan Corry joined Ian Guider to give an update on what customers can expect in the coming days.Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality Disability, Integration and Youth joins Ian on the show to discuss the Green Party Leadership election.

Thriller writer Andrea Mara, author of Someone in the Attic, joined The Last Word this week for the Culture Club. Press the 'Play' button on this page to hear her choices!

Nivida made history this Tuesday becoming the world's most valuable company, with a market cap of $3.335 trillion Lorcan Allen joins The Last Word to discuss this and other headlines in the world of 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... 

A RED C Survey conducted by An Post Insurance revealed that the price of funerals has skyrocketed by 42% since 2016 David McGowan of McGowan Funeral Directors and Nat O’Connor, Senior Public Affairs & Policy Specialist, Age Action join the show to discuss. Press the ‘play’ button below to catch up on the full conversation  

This week, the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association announced that Aer Lingus pilots would begin an indefinite work-to-rule action from Wednesday, 26 June.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joined Ian Guider to explain what rights customers have when if flights are cancelled or delayed due to strikes.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full conversation.

A new ad has been released by the Biden campaign highlighting Trumps criminal record.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join Ian to discuss all the updates from the US.

Many growers are reporting that some of your favorite varieties of potatoes have been lost due to poor weather conditions this year have caused a shortage. Food Economist Ciaran Fitzgerald joins Ian to discuss the impact on you.

In an announcement after today's cabinet meeting, Eamon Ryan stated his intentions to step as leader of the Green Party, Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications and that he would not contest the next general election in the Dublin Bay South constituency.Daniel McConnell, Editor of The Business Post and Sarah Carey, Columnist for the Irish Independent join Ian Guider, standing in for Matt, to discuss the possible reasons behind the Minister's choice to step down after a disappointing showing for the Green Party in the recent local and European elections.Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Aisling Moloney, political correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail join the show to discuss what the future holds for the Green Party and who might be chosen as Ryan's successor.

Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan joined The Last Word to explain why he has taken the decision to step down as leader of the Green Party.

Dr Sabina Brennan, psychologist and neuroscientist, explains why she wanted to investigate the social media phenomenon of manifesting and find out if there was science based evidence for some of it's claims. She talks to Ian Guider about her new book, The Neuroscience of Manifesting.To catch the full conversation, press the 'Play' button below.

With further protests taking place outside the home of Taoiseach, Simon Harris over the weekend, the question is being raised across the country as to whether or not these protests should be put to a stop.Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor for the Irish Times and Fianna Fail Senator, Malcom Byrne joins The Last Word to discuss protests that have taken place over the last number months and a bill brought forward by Senator Byrne that could see protests outside the homes of politicians result in convictions and jail timeTo catch up on the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Sinéad Kennedy, author of Life is a Cycle and solo travel expert, joined The Last Word to discuss all the great things to see and do in the Spanish city of Salamanca.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Around 10,000 disqualified drivers have failed to hand over their licences in the last two years. Despite this, only 26 people were prosecuted and one convicted for the offence in 2022 and 2023.Conor Lally, security and crime editor with The Irish Times, joined The Last Word to discuss this issue.

Ali Ugur, chief economist with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, and Marian Finnegan, managing director of Sherry Fitzgerald Residential & Advisory, joined The Last Word to discuss why almost a quarter of first-time buyers are buying properties outside their own counties.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Brianna Parkins, Columnist with the Irish Times, and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star, joined Matt to discuss some of the big stories that made the news this week.Plus, Brianna explained why she has decided to move home to Australia after living in Ireland for 5 years.Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the possible impacts the European election results may have on climate change measures as the new parliament term begins.To catch up on the full conversation, click the 'play' button below...

Euro 2024 gets underway this weekend in Germany.Matt was joined by Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with the UK Independent, Gavin Cooney, Sportswriter with The42.ie and former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino to preview the tournament.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to catch the full chat.

Andy O'Donoghue has recommendations on how technology can bring your summer roadtrip to the next level.We also discuss big changes on 'X' as we will no longer be able to view what tweets others have likedFor the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Leading gastro dietitian Lorraine Cooney joined The Last Word to discuss gut health and her new book Why You Can't Go.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!