The Last Word with Matt Cooper

About 750,000 people in Ireland are without a private or occupational pension, and will depend on support from the state pension. A new auto-enrollment pension scheme is in the works which will support workers in such a position. Charlie Weston joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Many people are facing potential eviction this year due to the rise in bills, rent and other costs. Will the Government introduce an eviction ban? Pat Davitt and Wayne Stanley joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Royal visits to Northern Ireland, and odd toilet behaviour off the coast of the republic. Edel Coffey and Damien McLoughlin joined the Last Word to discuss The Week Trending. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

It's a big weekend of Premiere League fixtures with Arsenal hosting Liverpool, and Southampton taking on Manchester City. 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 the background story behind the polarizing figure of Mary Lou McDonald? Shane Ross joined the Last Word to discuss his new book 'Mary Lou McDonald, Republican Riddle'. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

A documentary about Sinead O'Connor's life and views has been released entitled 'Nothing Compares'. Brian Lloyd and Roe McDermott joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Should taxis be completely banned from bus lanes? John Gibbon joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

When it comes to constipation in children, what is normal and what should you keep an eye out for? Dr. Brian Higgins joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

With increasing evidence to show the risks of serious injury and neurodegenerative brain disease for rugby players, is it time we changed the game in the interest of player safety? Prof Matthew Campbell and Dr. Barry O’Driscoll joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Renowned journalist Marina Hyde joined us on the Last Word to discuss the crazy times we are living through, as well as her new book 'What Just Happened'. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

For potentially 150,000 people driving a company car, a new 'benefit-in-kind' tax has been introduced based on the amount of miles driven a year. Charlie Weston joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Elon Musk has landed himself in trouble with Ukraine after strange 'Trump-like' tweets. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Lindsey Buckingham has become the latest popular artist to cut a tour short. Zara Hedderman and John Caddell joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

From 2024 all mobile phones in the EU will use USB-C. Andy O’Donoghue joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

As conversations on the topic become more common, is the prospect of a United Ireland becoming inevitable? Neale Richmond, Frances Black and Louise O’Reilly joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Was Manchester City's fantastic performance this past weekend a sign they will dominate the premiere league? Miguel Delaney joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Former Sinn Fein councilor Jonathan Dowdall was due to stand trial for murder, however his situation has changed following an agreement with the Director Of Public Prosecutions. Conor Gallagher joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Taking a pet on holiday can be tricky. How can you take an animal away and ensure they are safe, happy and healthy? Sarah Slattery joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

One of the biggest stories of the week was the controversial statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin following his annexation of four Ukrainian provinces. A Dublin Pub has also offered a discount for customers who wear their coat in an attempt to save money on energy! Lise Hand and Mark Paul joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing play on this page.

Deborah Somorin joined The Last Word to discuss her experience being homeless at the age of 13, before going on to access third-level education and her ideas for student accommodation for families. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

This weekend sees the return of the premier league, with North London derbies and a Manchester derby on the horizon. Tony Cascarino and Mark Lawrenson joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page. The Last Word on Sport - With Carlsberg Official beer partner of the FAI Probably the best partnership in the world Get the facts. Be drinkaware. Vist drinkaware.ie

Something we often overlook is the importance of having good gut health! But where should you start? Dr. Brian Higgins joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

12 bookshops across the country have been longlisted for the ‘An Post Bookshop of the Year’ category at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards, the annual literary event that celebrates and promotes Irish writing and authors to the widest range of readers possible. The list is as follows: · Kerr’s Bookshop, Clonakilty, Cork · Philip’s Bookshop, Mallow, Cork · Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street, Galway · Waterstones, Drogheda, Louth · Tertulia, Westport, Mayo · Liber, Sligo · Bridge Street Books, Wicklow · Chapters Bookstore, Parnell Street, Dublin · Books at One LetterFrack, Letterfrack, Connemara, Galway · Bridge Books, Dromore, County Down · Books on the Green, Sandymount, Dublin · Genius Juniors, Online Bookshop What is the next step toward deciding Ireland's bookshop of the year? Aoife Roantree, Sinead Moriarty and Tomas Kenny joined the Last Word to discuss.

With International Recovery Day taking place tomorrow, Pauline McKeown, CEO of Coolmine Therapeutic Community and Danny Moore, former client of Coolmine joined the Last Word for an uplifting discussion on addiction recovery. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

With mixed reactions to budget 2023, how did environmental issues fare in the Government's spending? John Gibbons joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

According to Social Justice Ireland, the €11 billion that was spent in yesterday's budget has been distributed unfairly. Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst at Social Justice Ireland, and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Fine Gael TD and spokesperson for Equality joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Charlie Weston joined us this week for a personal finance special, answering your questions about Budget 2023. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

What do the opposing parties of our Government think of the choices made for Budget 2023? Ged Nash and Matt Carthy joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

What has the reaction of businesses been like to Budget 2023? Neil McDonnell, Lisa Eccles, Paul Gallagher and Mary Conway joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

After a number of historic and unprecedented years which have affected the Irish economy massively, Paschal Donohoe joined the Last Word to discuss navigating Budget 2023 as Minister for Finance. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Today was Ireland's long awaited Budget day, but what are the details? Ian Guider, Nancy Fallon and Daniel McConnell joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Amongst all of the economic uncertainty, is there some good news emerging from the housing market? Karl Deeter joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Why is a Chinese intelligence unit operating on Capel Street in Dublin, independent of the Chinese embassy? John Mooney joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Only weeks after the death of Queen Elizabeth III, Netflix have announced the fifth season of their hugely popular show 'The Crown'. Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Christmas is still a while away but if you're considering going on holiday in December, now is the time to book! Sarah Slattery joined us for The Last Word on Travel to discuss the best Christmas Markets to visit this festive season. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Beloved British novelist Hilary Mantel has passed away at the age of 70. Kevin Power joined the Last Word to discuss her brilliant career. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

An important election taking place this weekend in Italy could have far reaching economic and political consequences. Dan O’Brien joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

One of the biggest stories of the week involved an Irish Rugby legend taking home the wrong dog from the groomers! There has been a worrying amount of backlash about the casting choice for Ariel in Disney's remake of 'The Little Mermaid'. Laura Byrne and Mick Clifford joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

After the unbelievable hype and drama that has surrounded Olivia Wilde's latest movie, is it any good? Roe McDermott joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

After new census findings, is it starting to look like there's a possibility for a future United Ireland? Amanda Ferguson, Mick Fealty and Neale Richmond joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

With King Charles III having established himself as environmentally conscious in the past, has John Gibbons decided to go royalist? Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

Since last week all women in Ireland from the age of 17 up to 25 can now avail of free contraception. Dr. Brian Higgins joined the Last Word to chat all things contraception. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this Page.

The events that took place in Cherry Orchard this week have highlighted a potential lack of force when it comes to anti-social behaviour in Ireland. Brendan O’Connor and Dr. Johnny Connolly joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

For those living in apartments, news of a new bill that will allow tenants to keep pets and to save energy by hanging clothes to dry on balconies is a welcome possibility. Senator Rebecca Moynihan joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

This week for the culture club we are joined by multi award winning director, Eimear Reynolds! Her work includes 2022 film 'Joyride' starring Olivia Colman. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

The pension age will stay at 66, but workers will have the option of working on until the age of 70 in return for a larger state pension. Are the financial benefits worth it? Charlie Weston joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

A criminal investigation has been launched into a publicity stunt that involved the luring of migrants up to wealthy holiday destination 'Martha's Vineyard' under false pretenses, by Ron DeSantis. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

A surprisingly well written chapter from Bono's new memoir has been released, setting expectations high for the book's release on November 1st. Dee Reddy and John Caddell joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

'The Shona Project' is a non-profit organisation which works to help today's Irish women to be strong, confident and curious. A survey conducted by the group has found that 80% of teenage girls feel they won't receive the same opportunities in life as boys of the same age. Tammy Darcy, chief executive of The Shona Project joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.

A shocking incident took place last night involving two reckless drivers ramming into a Garda car in Cherry Orchard, with footage ending up on social media. Stephen Breen, Hazel De Nortuin and Trina O’Connor joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.