The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Around 10,000 disqualified drivers have failed to hand over their licences in the last two years. Despite this, only 26 people were prosecuted and one convicted for the offence in 2022 and 2023. Conor Lally, security and crime editor with The Irish Times, joined The Last Word to discuss this issue.

Ali Ugur, chief economist with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, and Marian Finnegan, managing director of Sherry Fitzgerald Residential & Advisory, joined The Last Word to discuss why almost a quarter of first-time buyers are buying properties outside their own counties. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Brianna Parkins, Columnist with the Irish Times, and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star, joined Matt to discuss some of the big stories that made the news this week. Plus, Brianna explained why she has decided to move home to Australia after living in Ireland for 5 years. Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the possible impacts the European election results may have on climate change measures as the new parliament term begins. To catch up on the full conversation, click the 'play' button below...

Euro 2024 gets underway this weekend in Germany. Matt was joined by Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with the UK Independent, Gavin Cooney, Sportswriter with The42.ie and former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino to preview the tournament. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to catch the full chat.

Andy O'Donoghue has recommendations on how technology can bring your summer roadtrip to the next level. We also discuss big changes on 'X' as we will no longer be able to view what tweets others have liked For the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Leading gastro dietitian Lorraine Cooney joined The Last Word to discuss gut health and her new book Why You Can't Go. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

A series of Government reports show that the Irish labour market is slightly more exposed to AI because of our knowledged based economy. Elaine Burke, host of For Tech's Sake podcast and Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, discuss the findings of the reports. Catch the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button below.

Paul McLoone joins Matt for Culture Club. They're chatting music, film and everything that's happened within 25 years of The Undertones!

Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor at the Irish Independent joined Matt to discuss how Ireland’s energy regulator could add a charge to household electricity bills in October in order to subsidise renewable energy operators. Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to listen to the full conversation.

Hunter Biden has been convicted of three charges in his federal gun trial, making him the first son of a sitting US president to receive a criminal prosecution. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent for The Business Post joined The Last Word to discuss this and more of the week's biggest stories from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

With interest rates in the news at the moment, is the economy in a healthy state? Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank joins Matt to discuss the biannual financial stability review.

Kevin Barry, author of Dark Lies the Island, City of Bohane and Night Boat to Tangier returns with his new book The Heart in Winter Barry joins The Last Word to discuss his career to this point and the writing behind his new book Catch the full conversation by pressing the 'play' button below...

Sarah Slattery from TravelExpert.ie joins Matt to relive a recent trip to Cork and gives tips on the best places to stay, great spots to eat and some great activities for family's To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Ian Guider joins Matt to talk through all the new changes Apple have announced will be added to the iPhone and iPad. Plus they discuss the companies that have offered to build the power connections to connect their data centres.

Fine Gael TD and Minister of State for EU Affairs & Defence, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, and Sinn Féin TD & party Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty joined The Last Word as counting for the local and European elections on Monday evening. Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

Rishi Sunak ditches D-Day event, AI in elections and Gail leaves Coronation Street... Writer and broadcaster Aoife Barry and Eoghan Tomas McDermott, managing director of the Communications Clinic, joined The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Gavin Cooney, Sports Writer with the42.ie speculates on what might be next for former Ireland striker Robbie Keane as he steps down as manager of Israeli team Macabbi Tel Aviv. To catch the full conversation press the 'Play' button below.

Junior Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne, has warned GAA clubs and county boards that state funding would be withheld for facilities if female players are not given equal access. Sinead O'Carroll, Editor of the Journal.ie and Professor of psychology at University Limerick, Orla Muldoon, join Matt to discuss. To catch up on the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

John Gibbons joins The Last Word to discuss news that the Un Chief is considering banning fossil fuel advertising as new studies have revealed new climate change records have been hit. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...