The Last Word with Matt Cooper
On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.
Latest episodes
Jul 9, 2025 • 29min
Culture Club: Stuart Braithwaite
Stuart Braithwaite, guitarist with Mogwai, joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. Listen to all of his cultural picks by pressing the 'play' button on this page!
Jul 9, 2025 • 9min
More Big Money Divorce Applications Despite Less Couples Deciding To Split
There was a 42 per cent rise in divorce applications involving assets of more than €3 million last year, despite a fall in the overall number of couples splitting.Keith Walsh, family law solicitor, and Michelle Browne, family mediator and author of Scars of Divorce, join The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Jul 9, 2025 • 16min
People Are Dying Unnecessarily Because Of Delays In Cancer Treatment
Averil Power, CEO Irish Cancer Society and Muireann McColgan, co-founder of Too Young To Be Heard group, discuss the latest Irish Cancer Society data highlighting the delays in cancer care and what regions have longest delays.To listen to the full conversation, press the ‘play’ button on this page.
Jul 9, 2025 • 9min
On Paper We’re One Of The Richest Nations In Europe, So Why Doesn’t It Feel That Way?
A recent report from Unio Wealth Management found that Ireland is among the richest countries in Europe, ranking higher than Germany and France.The average net wealth per adult in Ireland is €323,000, behind only Luxembourg.So why, despite these figures, are so many of us feeling the pinch?Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, spoke to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
Jul 9, 2025 • 21min
The Last Word On The US: Benjamin Netanyahu Nominates Donald Trump For Nobel Peace Prize
On Monday, Donald Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House and the Israeli prime minister told the US President that he nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.Meanwhile, the death toll from extreme flooding in Texas has now exceeded 100 people, with survivors questioning the authorities’ planning and safety response.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone spoke to Matt on Tuesday.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
Jul 8, 2025 • 33min
Music Industry Contributes €1bn To Irish Economy, Report Finds
A new report from Irish Music Rights Organisation has found that Irish adults spent €757 on music events in 2024, while two thirds of respondents said that the main barrier to attending gigs is the cost of tickets.Matt spoke to Eleanor McEvoy, Chair of IMRO, about this.Elsewhere, Live Aid will be 40 years old on Sunday and Apple Music has released its top 500 streamed songs of the past decade.Dee Reddy and Dave Hanratty joined Matt for Tuesday’s music slot.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
Jul 8, 2025 • 14min
What Should Be Done To Revamp The GPO?
The Government has been accused of "showing complete disdain" for the heritage of the GPO on Dublin's O'Connell Street amid calls for the building to be redeveloped into a significant cultural quarter.Peadar Toibin, TD for Meath-West and Leader of Aontú, and James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, join The Last Word to debate what should be done to revamp the historic site.Catch the full chat pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Jul 7, 2025 • 12min
The Last Word On Travel: Chicago
Sarah Slattery from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to discuss all the best things to see and do when visiting Chicago in the US. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Jul 7, 2025 • 13min
Will Reducing Apartment Sizes Make Any Difference To The Housing Crisis?
The Cabinet is to consider reducing the size of studio apartments in order to encourage developers to build more of them.Is this the most effective way to solve the housing crisis?Orla Hegarty, Architect & Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at UCD and Kate English, Chief Economist at Deloitte, spoke to Matt on Monday’s The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.
Jul 4, 2025 • 26min
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals Preview
Croke Park will host a bumper weekend of senior hurling championship action as we reach the All-Ireland semi-final stage.On Saturday, Dublin will face Cork while on Sunday, old rivals Tipperary and Kilkenny go head to head.Matt spoke to Jamesie O’Connor, Aidan ‘Taggy’ Fogarty and John McIntyre about what we can look forward to over the coming days.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
