The Last Word with Matt Cooper

HMV is making a return to Ireland seven year after closing it’s last store here. Journalist Aoife Barry and Today FM presenter Ed Smith, look ahead to the re-opening and discuss the resurgence of vinyl. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button this page.

A major international report has predicted that it is probable the world will break the 1.5 degree celsius climate threshold by 2027. So what does this mean? Dr. Chris Mays, Lecturer in Paleontology at the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UCC joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Is Netflix's new Conor McGregor documentary worth a watch? Elaine Burke joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Most wouldn't think of their local Credit Union as the place to get a mortgage, but could it be one of the best options available? 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.

EU legislation which proposes minimum energy performance standards is being drafted and could prevent people who own their own homes from selling them in the future. Orla Coyle, Head of Energy and Sustainability at Savills, and Joe Durkan, Head of SEAI's Technical Department, joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

What should patients know if considering travelling abroad for a cosmetic procedure? 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 Public Section Climate Action Mandate highlights a number of actions to be taken in order to reduce emissions by 51% by the end of the decade, one of which is to phase out public sector parking. Pauline O’Reilly, Green Party Senator, and Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan joined us on The Last Word to discuss his life, career, and new book Unbreakable. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A political comment made by Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney during her BAFTAs acceptance speech was cut by BBC1 from footage for their highlights show, which aired last night. Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Why is it difficult at present to get basic hay fever drugs from pharmacies in Ireland? Irish Pharmacy Union President Dermot Twomey joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Footage has been shared online of a group of young men attacking and dismantling a makeshift asylum seeker camp, with more videos later showing the camp in flames. Lucky Khambule from the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, and Jack Power, News Reporter with The Irish Times joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

According to 2019 data from the CSO, 94% of women in Ireland do not return to work after having kids. But is it feasible to do so in 2023? Brianna Parkins from The Irish Times joins Matt to discuss her findings. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

UK police slammed over their treatment of protestors, Ireland's obsession with fake tan, and Trump's disastrous CNN Townhall were just some of the topics covered in 'The Week Trending'. Sarah McGuinness, Assistant News Editor with the Business Post and Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner joined Matt to discuss the top trending stories this week. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

After Everton's win against Briton, Manchester City are in for a much more challenging game against Everton. Mark Lawrenson and Tony Cascarino join Matt to discuss this in full. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Following Eurovision disappointment for Ireland in the first of two semi-finals, the question is being asked, where is it all going wrong for us? Broadcaster and Journalist Elaine Burke joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A report released by two Irish charities today has shown that up to 1 in 4 older tenants expect to be paying rent for the rest of their lives. Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Fein spokesperson on housing and Anne Marie O’Reilly, National Advocacy Spokesperson for Threshold joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Eirgrid has held an auction for contracts to build offshore Irish wind farms. The Government's current climate aims require 70% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2030. John Gibbons joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

From sous vide cookers to hydroponic gardens, Andy O’Donoghue joined us to discuss the latest in tech for your kitchen! Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Will today's meeting of the Retail Forum lead to lower prices in our supermarkets? Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence Ireland joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.