The Last Word with Matt Cooper Nightmare Commutes - Congestion & Poor Public Transport Make Journeys Unbearable
Nov 19, 2025
Guest
Diarmuid (Dermot) Doyle
Guest
Mark Wall
Guest
Alison Hodgson
Guest
Professor Brian Caulfield
Guest
Geraldine Herbert
In this engaging discussion, radio producer Diarmuid Doyle shares his harrowing four-hour commute from Navan, shedding light on its toll on mental health. Labour TD Mark Wall advocates for solutions like flexible work policies to combat congestion. HR expert Alison Hodgson emphasizes the recruitment benefits of hybrid work, while Professor Brian Caulfield presents alarming data on traffic trends and delayed infrastructure projects. Motoring editor Geraldine Herbert warns about public transport capacity issues, highlighting the connection between housing shortages and longer commutes.
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Daily Four‑Hour Commute From Navan
- Diarmuid Doyle describes a four-hour daily commute door-to-door since September.
- He says the journey has become unbearable and sometimes reaches four and a half hours.
Commuting Hurts Access To Healthcare
- Mark Wall shares constituents' stories of hours lost in traffic and even medical appointments ruined.
- He recounts cancer patients forced to stop on roads after extreme delays.
Act Fast: Remove Breakdowns And Boost Buses
- Mark Wall urges driver education, emergency breakdown removal services and public transport investment.
- He also proposes allowing buses to use the hard shoulder to cut peak traffic by around 15%.