The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Pulitzer Prize winning author Anne Applebaum joins The Last Word to discuss the threat posed to democracy by authoritarian governments around the world as outlined in her latest book Autocracy Inc. Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Consumer protection body opens investigation into Oasis tickets sale, there's outrage over a €336,000 bike shed and a depiction of 'potato eating' Irish family is pulled from a school book. Roe McDermott, Irish Times columnist, and Kieran Cunningham, chief sports writer with the Irish Daily Star, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Andy O'Donoghue brought us his top recommendations for the best e-scooters and e-bikes on the market to suit all budgets. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The government has launched a new plan to improve Ireland’s water quality. Some details include controls on fertiliser use and a target of 4,500 farm inspections annually. John Gibbons discussed it on this week’s environment slot. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

A group of Fianna Fáil politicians have put forward a Bill to ban dynamic pricing on tickets following the outrage over the Oasis ticket prices. Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan , joins The Last Word to discuss the Bill that would extend existing legislation outlawing the resale of tickets above face value. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Author Christine Dwyer Hickey joins The Last Word to discuss her favourite music, movies, books, tv shows and more in the Culture Club. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Irish company Kingspan has been heavily criticised in the final report of the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017 which led to 72 deaths. Ian Guider from the Business Post joins The Last Word to discuss the report which found that Kingspan and two other firms engaged in a deliberate strategy to mislead the market about their products. Catch the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has warned that Dublin Airport must stick to the passenger cap. He also spoke about the costs of the new Leinster House bicycle shelter.

We’ve heard a lot about dynamic pricing since tickets for Oasis at Croke Park next August went on sale last weekend, but does it impact our everyday spending more than we realise? Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joined Matt to tell us which other companies use the system. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

The Department of Education has been criticised after having a Junior Cycle textbook containing “absurdly misconceived and discriminatory” depictions of an Irish family in its curriculum. Jennifer Horgan, secondary school teacher and Irish Examiner columnist, Peadar Toibin, Meath-West TD and Aontú leader and historian and musician Paddy Cullivan spoke to Matt about the issue. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

There has been widespread outrage over the cost of tickets to Oasis's reunion tour which in some cases more than doubled in price while on sale at the weekend due to dynamic pricing. John Caddell and Dee Reddy join The Last Word to discuss the controversy and whether the band have put off announcing further dates because of it. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and Marion McKeone, US correspondent with the Business Post, join The Last Word to discuss the latest news from the United States as the presidential election draws closer. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Sinn Féin has unveiled its €39 billion housing plan in which it pledges to deliver 300,000 homes over five years if the party is elected into government. Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson, joins The Last Word to outline what the party would do to solve Ireland's housing crisis. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Sarah Slattery from the travelexpert.ie spoke to Mario Rosenstock on The Last Word for part two of her look at wellness retreats, where she focuses on what Ireland has to offer from yoga retreats, unique experiences, and spa breaks. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Dynamic prices, long queues and site crashes were just some complaints that fans cited after tickets for Oasis at Croke Park in August next year went on sale on Saturday. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has since said there are “legitimate concerns around the consumer experiences” of buying tickets. Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast and tech journalist Andy O’Donoghue joined Mario Rosenstock to discuss the issue. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

An Post has identified 20 emerging Irish fiction writers whose work will be promoted in the run up to the annual An Post Irish Book Awards. Three of these writers, Fíona Scarlett, Michelle Gallen and Ferdia Lennon, join The Last Word to discuss their work and the strength of modern Irish literature. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Kamala Harris is set to give her first major interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee on Thursday night. Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway & Political Columnist with TheJournal.ie joined Matt to discuss what could be in store. Press the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Coldplay pledged to reduce their carbon footprint for their ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour, which rolls into Dublin this weekend, but how effective has it been? Environmental commentator John Gibbons joined Matt to discuss that and how Exxon has predicted that demand for oil will stay at the same level in 2050 as it’s at now. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss the whether it would be possible to ban access to social media for under-16s and the tools and apps that can help to keep children safe online. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Émer Dineen actress and creator of 0800 Cupid, a musical extravaganza and cabaret show debuting at Dublin’s Theatre Festival was the latest inductee to The Last Word’s Culture Club. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear all her choices!