The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Ian Guider, Columnist with the Business Post, joined Matt for Monday’s business news.Up for discussion was how inflation in Ireland has dropped to a three-year low, Ryanair cutting 14 winter routes from Dublin Airport and Bank of Ireland appointing Akshaya Bhargava as its new chairman.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation

Getting out of the country around the Halloween holidays can be super expensive.So Sarah Slattery has the best Halloween breaks closer to home.

On Tuesday, a €2bn Budget 2025 package is set to be unveiled by Finance Minister Jack Chambers.What should we expect from it, and how will it benefit your day-to-day spending?Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post, looked ahead at what’s to come.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Ian Guider spoke to Matt on Friday’s business news about how Meta has been fined €91m by the Data Protection Commission following an investigation into the storage of passwords.Meanwhile, a review by DNG has found that house prices in Dublin have risen by 8.4% over the past 12 months.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Former guard and author of Traces of Truth, Ciaran Prior joins Matt to discuss his life as a crime scene investigator within the force.

Plans to cut university parking spaces, the phenomenon of Sally Rooney and the death of Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith.Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, and Roe McDermott, advice columnist with the Irish Times, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Brian Lloyd joins Mario to chat about Francis Ford Coppola's new release Megalopolis; a movie that has been postponed since the 80s.

Minister Heather Humphreys has briefed the cabinet on new regulations to ban the importation, breeding and sale of XL Bully Dogs. Dog Behaviourist Suzi Walsh and Veterinary Officer James Madden join Mario to discuss whether this is the correct solution.

Andy O'Donoghue, a technology expert and contributor, dives into the world of digital and Bluetooth radios as well as smart speakers. He highlights the charm of vintage-style radios with modern features, like the Roberts model, perfect as a gift. The conversation then shifts to the evolution of smart speakers like Google Nest Audio, emphasizing their sound quality and voice control. O'Donoghue also addresses challenges with online radio, including buffering issues, alongside comparisons of top digital radio options in the current tech landscape.

Sinéad Crowley joins Matt in the studio for this week's Culture Club and to discuss the release of her new book Author of A Maid on Fifth Avenue.Subscribe to The Ray Foley Podcast wherever you get your podcast!