The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Should the price of GAAGo warrant a reduction in the cost of the TV license? Dick Clerkin, former Monaghan footballer and Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Former US President Donald Trump has been found liable for sexually abusing and defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll by a New York jury. Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with The Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Approximately 300 women die a year in Ireland from ovarian cancer, with a total of approximately 400 diagnosed. What should you look out for? Dr. Ilona Duffy joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Broadcaster and former politician, Michael Portillo joined The Last Word to discuss his new documentary, Taking Sides: Britain And The Civil War. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

It seems there is no end in sight for the United States' epidemic of mass shootings, following another shooting in Texas. Cal Thomas, Nationally Syndicated Columnist, and Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with the Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

What should be done with the forecast 'record breaking budget surplus' this year? Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs, and Michelle Murphy, Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Tánaiste Micheal Martin has weighed in on the GAAGO debate by saying that all GAA matches should be free-to-air. Alan Milton, GAA Director of Communications and Michael Foley, Sportswriter with the Sunday Times joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

What is the existing deal between Ireland and Britain when it comes to the defense of Irish skies against hostile aircraft? Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent with the Irish Times, and Patrick Bury, Defense and Security Expert at Bath University and Foreigner NATO Advisor joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The state plans to oppose Gerry Hutch's bid to have his legal fees covered by the taxpayer after being acquitted of murder last month. Frank Greaney, Today FM courts correspondent joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Are you thinking about a summer holiday? Sarah Slattery joined The Last Word to discuss the best deals and options for a family camping getaway in the sun! Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

How will Leeds United fare against Arsenal this Saturday in the Premier League? Mark Lawrenson and Tony Cascarino joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

What is mortgage interest relief, and will it return later this year? Dr. Ciaran Casey, Economics Lecturer at the University of Limerick joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A number of popular female figures have pulled out of the race for The Late Late Show's high profile presenter gig. Why does the position's popularity seem to be dwindling? Dave Hanratty, Host of the No Encore Podcast and Mairead Cleary, News Reporter with Bauer Media joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Heading away on holiday soon? From the best pair of headphones to get to a bracelet that deters sharks, Andy O'Donoghue joined Matt to give his recommendations. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The RSA has launched a campaign urging drivers to slow down and look out for cyclists on the road. Imogen Cotter, a professional cyclist, was seriously injured last year when she was hit on her bike. She joined Matt to tell her story.

"The court is horrified that a qualified solicitor would conduct herself in such a manner in this court" judge tells Ammi Burke on the final day of a legal challenge to a decision of the Workplace Relations Commission to reject her unfair dismissal claim against Arthur Cox. Today FM's Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney, has been in court this week and joined Matt to give an update. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

John Gibbons joined Matt Cooper for The Last Word on the Environment today to say why he thinks President Higgins was right to criticise the world of economics last week. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

45% of asthma patients have had to forgo their medications due to cost of living pressures. Sarah Darcy who has suffered from asthma since she was in her teens and Eilis Ni Chaithnia, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A proposal from the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection could see workers as young as 16 automatically paying into a pension. Denis Naughten, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and Sarah McGuinness, Assistant News Editor with the Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

With the cost of food on the rise worldwide, some supermarkets are lowering the prices of dairy products like butter and milk. Why is this? Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Bruce Springsteen is gearing up to play three sold out shows in the RDS this month, the first of which will take place this Friday. Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore Podcast and Ed Smith, Today FM presenter and host of the Recorded History podcast joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

What kind of welcome will Donald Trump receive when he arrives in Doonbeg tomorrow? Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway & Political Columnist with TheJournal.ie joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

There have been calls for over-the-counter codeine-based drugs to be made available as 'prescription-only' in pharmacies. Dr. Ilona Duffy joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Should we be worried about artificial intelligence? Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne and Dr. Oisin Cawley, Lecturer and Researcher in Computing at South East Technological University joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Following a review by Trinity College, the university's Berkeley Library is to be renamed. A new name is yet to be confirmed. Roe McDermott and Eoghan Tomas McDermott joined The Last Word to discuss this and other stories from the past week. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Who is entitled to land on the moon? Tim Marshall, author of The Future of Geography joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Have you heard of WiFi wedding rings? Well, Andy O’Donoghue has! He joined The Last Word to discuss the latest in wearable tech. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Marie Donnelly, Chairperson of the Climate Change Advisory Council has said that car owners have a sense of 'entitlement' and need to be more considerate of cyclists and pedestrians. Brian Caulfield, Professor of Transport at the School of Engineering in Trinity College and Martina Callanan of Galway Cycling joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Tomorrow is the deadline for the latest round of bids for the ownership of Manchester United FC. Both full and partial sale of the club is being considered. Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The use of solar power has been on the rise in Europe as a result of recent changes in climate. John Gibbons joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Anne O'Leary has been appointed to a new role as head of Meta's operations in Ireland. Ian Guider joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A shortage of skilled labour is one of the top issues affecting Dublin business, along with poor transport infrastructure and a lack of affordable housing or rent. Orla Mannion, Public Affairs Manager of Dublin Chamber and Neill McDonnell, ISME joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Domestic electricity prices in Ireland are currently the highest in Europe. Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with The Irish Independent joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

An inquest into the fire in the Stardust nightclub in Artane, Dublin in 1981 began today. 48 people died in the tragedy. Sean Murray, News Reporter with the Irish Examiner joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A grand total of almost €300 billion was earned in profit by registered Irish companies in 2022. Ian Guider, Business Columnist with Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

US President Joe Biden has officially announced his bid for a second term in the White House. An AI generated video has been released by the Republican party in response to this announcement. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway & Political Columnist with The Journal joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease which affects about 1 in 100 people in Ireland and the UK. How is it spotted and how can you best manage it? Dr. Brian Higgins, GP from Galway Primary Care joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The FA Cup final will be a Manchester derby this year following a close game between Brighton and Man United, and a significant win over Sheffield for Man City. Miguel Delaney and Tony Cascarino joined The Last Word to give their predictions for the final. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

It has been announced that television host and political commentator Tucker Carlson has parted ways with Fox News. Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at NUI Galway & Political Columnist with TheJournal.ie joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Will optimistic Garda recruitment targets be fulfilled this year, or are they simply unrealistic? Brendan O’Connor, President of the Garda Representative Association joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Gardaí are set to investigate the unnamed GSOC officer who attended a party with Gerry Hutch last week. The man in question has resigned. Conor Gallagher, Crime & Security Correspondent with the Irish Times joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Mark Lawrenson and Tony Cascarino joined us to give their predictions for this weekend's FA Cup semi-finals. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Michael Schumacher's family is planning legal action against a German magazine that has published a fake AI interview of the former F1 driver. Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training at the Communications Clinic, and journalist Lise Hand joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Director Sinead O'Shea joined us to discuss her new documentary 'Pray For Our Sinners', a film about those who opposed and fought the church's abuse in Ireland. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

How will the departure of Fine Gael TDs affect the next election? Daniel McConnell, Editor at The Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Leo Varadkar has said that there are no plans to introduce congestion charges for commuters. If introduced in the future, would they be an effective and fair way to manage traffic and emissions? Dr. Muireann Lynch, Senior Research Officer on Energy Economics at ESRI and Dr. Lorraine D’Arcy, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Transport and Mobility at Technical University Dublin joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Social media platform TikTok have announced they plan to empower accurate climate discussions and reduce harmful information on the app. John Gibbons joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Andy O'Donoghue joined us for Tech Thursday to discuss the latest in Wi-Fi kettles and smart coffee machines. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The State’s key witness in the trial of Gerard Hutch, Jonathan Dowdall has been accepted into the Witness Security Program. This will come into effect once he has served his prison sentence. Conor Gallagher, Crime & Security Correspondent with the Irish Times and Daniel McConnell, Editor at the Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

TD for Roscommon/Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice has suggested a rural political party that will properly represent voters who do not live in towns and cities. He joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.