The Last Word with Matt Cooper

John Gibbons returned for The Last Word’s weekly environment slot on Thursday.Up for discussion was the success of the deposit return scheme, whether nature’s carbon sink is failing, the Climate Change Advisory Council’s warning that Ireland could face an €8bn fine by 2030 if we fail to meet our climate targets and the effectiveness of disruptive climate protests.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

There's bad news for drivers as road tolls will rise on motorways once again next year, the fourth increase since 2022. Geraldine Herbert, motoring editor with the Sunday Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss why tolls are increasing and also the further rollout of average speed cameras on Irish roads.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The number of job vacancies has fallen significantly in the past year according two new reports looking at the Irish jobs market.Ian Guider joins The Last Word to discuss this and more of the day's business news.Catch the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

The Swing Cats frontman Luke Thomas, who will be performing alongside Una Healy at this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, joined Matt for this week’s Culture Club.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his choices.

From social setting to price point, Brigid O’Hora, author of ‘The Home Sommelier’, knows exactly what to look for when picking up the perfect bottle of wine.On Wednesday, she joined Matt on The Last Word to share some tips.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Veterinary surgeon Noel Fitzpatrick, aka the Supervet, joins The Last Word to discuss his new book 'Dogs And Their Humans' which tells the stories of healing and hope from his surgery and explores the unique relationship between dogs and the people that care for them.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The tragic death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has raised questions in the music industry about the duty of care for young artists. Former boyband singer Robbie Williams and former X-Factor contestant Katie Waissel are among those who have raised concerns about the care and support provided to musicians in the industry.John Caddell and Dee Reddy join The Last Word to reflect on the effects of sudden stardom and what more can be done to protect young stars.Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Journalist and author Lara Marlowe has written a book about Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko, who, at 29 years of age, has been fighting on the frontline for Ukraine since 2016.Lara, Yulia and Nazar Yatsyshyn spoke to Matt about what the future holds for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

US presidential nominees Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are neck and neck in the polls just two weeks out from the election.Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and columnist with The Journal, Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss how both candidates are faring as they try to convince the undecided voters.Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

On Tuesday, Matt was joined by chef Neven Maguire to discuss the release of his 20th book “Eat Out At Home”.He talked about how to create the ideal dinner party menu, being 35 years in business at MacNean House in Blacklion and his love for 90’s dance music.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.