The Last Word with Matt Cooper

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.

Joe O’Shea, Editor at Cork Beo, and Today FM’s own Alison Healy are here to give all the latest in this week’s TV and Streaming news.A curious Eurovision saw Ireland gave Israel the maximum 12 points in Eurovision semi-final and 10 points in the final, raising some eyebrows in the country.Everybody’s talking about the Netflix documentary covering the murder of Jason Corbett, A Deadly American Marriage, and the guys also get in their Picks of the Week.Listen here to get all the best conversation on this week’s TV and streaming.

David French, brother of Valerie French Kilroy who was murdered by her husband James, outlines his family's campaign to have the parental rights curbed for those who kill their spouses. David remembers his sister Valerie and writes about the aftermath of her murder in his book, For Valerie.

New figures released by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland have shown that in the final quarter of 2024, almost €200m was borrowed to fund car purchases.Loans for home improvement projects also hit highs never seen before.However, given the current economic climate, should borrowers exercise more caution when deciding to take out a loan?Matt spoke to Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent and independent economist Austin Hughes about this on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

As the US PGA gets into full swing, Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to talk about all the best new golf tech.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

People who live near golf courses are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, due to pesticides used on the lawns.That’s according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which looked at data from 27 counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota.John Gibbons joined Matt for Thursday’s environment slot.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Conductor David Brophy joins The Last Word for the Culture Club!Hear all of his favourite musical and cultural picks by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!