The Last Word with Matt Cooper

'La-Z-Boy' recliner among requests for TD's Leinster House office; controversial robot trees are removed from Cork City; and Government signs off on plans to celebrate Ireland's Norman history. Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, and Laura Byrne, voices editor and podcast producer with The Journal.ie, join The Last Word to discuss all of the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The latest cost estimate for building Dublin’s Metrolink was approximately €23 billion. However, could that figure now be too low?Work is set to start in 2026, with its completion estimated to be in the mid-2030s.Dr. Sean Sweeney, Programme Director of Metrolink spoke to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Wallet trackers, power banks and UV scanners, Andy O'Donoghue had a run down of the best travel tech to make planned summer trips as easy as possible.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

The podcast delves into Trump's alarming claims of white genocide in South Africa, revealing how he uses racial narratives for political gain. It also critiques the complexities of racial politics, comparing tensions in South Africa to the violence in Gaza. The tragic shooting of two Israeli embassy staff unfolds with eyewitness accounts, raising questions about its impact on U.S. political divisions. Additionally, there's a deep examination of anti-Semitism intertwined with criticism of Israeli actions, shedding light on a delicate and divisive topic.

The Irish Postmasters’ Union has warned that without funding of €15 million per year for the next five years, post offices around the country face “rapid, unrestrained closures”.Ian Guider, Columnist with the Business Post, joined Matt for Wednesday’s business news.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Author Pat McCabe was this week’s entry into the Culture Club as he celebrated the release of his new book ‘Golden Glove’.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all his choices.

Earlier this week, a report by Daft.ie found that the average rent in Ireland has now exceeded €2,000 a month, which is almost 50% higher than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.This, along with high insurance premiums, increasing TV and broadband prices, and the cost of nights out also rising means that low to mid-range earners have less and less disposable income available every month.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent and Sarah McGuinness, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail joined Matt for an extended personal finance slot on Wednesday to discuss the financial difficulties that young people face today.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

In 2018, author Jeanine Cummins published her novel American Dirt to a fanfare of praise and expectation. It didn't take long for online opinion to turn on the author.The author was accused of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation of Latino cultures. Despite the criticism, American Dirt was a bestseller. Jeanine Cummins spoke to Matt about over coming being cancelled, her Irish and Puerto Rican roots, and her new novel, Speak To Me Of Home.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist, and US Correspondent with The Business Post, Marion McKeone, join Matt the go through all the latest in US politics.With Joe Biden being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and the Russia-Ukraine peace talks taking place – this week has been more than eventful in the White House.Listen here to get all the latest.

The All-Ireland Gaelic football championship sprung to life at the weekend as Dublin reminded everyone of their credentials by beating an in-form Galway side by a point at Pearse Stadium, Kerry had a comfortable win against Roscommon, and Cavan earned a superb win over Mayo in MacHale Park to put Kevin McStay’s side on the back foot for their remaining fixtures.In hurling, Limerick stormed to a 16-point victory over league champions Cork, while Tipperary confirmed their place in the knockout rounds by beating Waterford at Semple Stadium.To discuss the weekend’s football, Matt was joined by former Roscommon footballer Paul Earley and Galway’s Ray Silke, while former Limerick hurler Joe Quaid and former Tipperary manager Michael Ryan covered Sunday’s action.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.