The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post joined Matt for Friday’s business news. They discussed how a new health insurer, Level Health, has launched in Ireland. The move is expected to boost competition within the market. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Aoife Barry, journalist and author of Social Capital, and Ian Power, CEO of Spunout.ie, join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories including Leaving Cert reforms, the rise of Bluesky after Trump's election and Robbie Keane's wife hits out at 'dangerous' comments. Catch the full chat by pressing 'play' button on this page!

Sean Ronayne, ornithologist and author of Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging, spoke to Matt about his love of nature, and his project to record every bird species in Ireland, and the importance of conservation. To catch the full conversation, press the ‘play’ button on this page.

Episode 5: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 8 of the campaign, Fianna Fáil launches their plan to tackle crime leading to a fight back from Fine Gael, we delve into People Before Profit's transport policy focuses on their key free of charge proposal and Labour's proposals for the primary care sector. Sean Defoe also joins Ben for a round up of the first week of the campaign.

Episode 4: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 7 of the campaign Sion Harris reveals Fine Gael's election slogan, People Before Profit Solidarity launch their manifesto, Sinn Féin put forward their immigration plan and Andrew Lowth joins us to discuss the Finna Fáil healthcare plan.

Paul McAuliffe, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on social protection, local government and electoral reform, and Pa Daly, Sinn Fein justice spokesperson, join The Last Word to discuss what their parties would do to manage crime and increase safety on the streets if they are in the next government. Hear the full debate by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

This week, President-elect Donald Trump began announcing his nominations for top roles within his administration. Among the nominations are Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general, Stephen Miller to become deputy chief of staff for policy and Kristi Noem for the role of Homeland Security Secretary. Marion McKeone, US Correspondent, Business Post and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway & Political Columnist with TheJournal.ie, explained what this may mean when Trump takes over as President. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

COP29 is being held in Azerbaijan until the 22nd of November, and the country’s president Ilham Aliyev has criticised "Western fake news" regarding the country's emissions, saying that oil and gas are a “gift from God”. Meanwhile, Argentina has pulled out of talks in Baku after the country’s president Javier Milei previously said that climate change is a “socialist lie”. Commentator John Gibbons joined Matt for this week’s environment slot. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

George Hamilton is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. The legendary sports commentator, Lyric FM presenter and author of The Hamilton Notes joins The Last Word to discuss his favourite music, books, movies and more. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Episode 3: In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 6 of the campaign Fine Gael launched their childcare policies including their commitment to the 'baby bundles', The Social Democrats, Labour and Fianna Fáil all announced pledges around renters and home delivery, and Ellen Butler joins us to discuss how these housing policies stack up.

Elon Musk was one of the biggest contributors to US president-elect Donald Trump’s election campaign and now he will play a significant role in the Trump administration as he is appointed to lead a new government efficiency agency. Eric Lipton, investigative reporter with the New York Times in Washington, joins The Last Word to discuss how tech billionaire Musk and his businesses stand to benefit from Trump's presidency. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

On Wednesday, The Last Word continued its buildup to November 29th’s general election, this time looking at how immigration will affect how people cast their votes. Colm Brophy, Fine Gael TD for Dublin South-West and Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín joined Matt to discuss their positions on the subject. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

On day six of the campaign trial, Gary Murphy Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU, joined Matt to assess the election campaign so far, and to consider whether a Trump-style Department of Government Efficiency could work in Ireland. To listen to the full conservation, press the 'play' button on this page.

On Tuesday’s music slot, John Caddell and music journalist Zara Hedderman reacted to the news that Robbie Williams is set to play Croke Park next summer. Also up for discussion was the upcoming BBC Two documentary ‘Boybands Forever’, Olivia Rodrigo announcing a date for Marlay Park and Simon & Garfunkel’s reconciliation. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

This week on the Last Word on The US, Marion McKeone is joined by Larry Donnelly to discuss the first appointments to Trump's cabinet. The appointments so far suggest a massive deportation programme to come.

In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. On day 5 of the campaign we have Sinn Fein launching their housing policy, The Green Party launching their manifesto and Andrew Lowth joins Ben to discuss what parties are pledging to do with the Apple tax money.

Author and journalist Catherine Sanz joins The Last Word to discuss her book 'Drama Drives Interest: The Web Summit Story' which looks at the rise and fall, and rise again, of the massive tech event and its notorious CEO Paddy Cosgrave. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'play' button on this page!

Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy and Green Party candidate Ossian Smyth and Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Fianna Fáil candidate, join The Last Word to debate what climate actions their parties' will take if they are in the next government. Catch the full debate by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Over the next three weeks politicians will be pounding the pavements, knocking on doors, kissing babies and making promises. After months of speculation - a General Election will take place in Ireland. Polling day will be Friday, November 29th. In the run up to the big day, join Today FM's Ben Finnegan as he covers what's being said across the political spectrum to help give you the best chance of being informed at the ballot box. With a new episode coming every weekday evening you won’t miss a thing. To kick us off, we have Michael O'Leary's teaching moment, a housing debate and promises to end government waste.

Manchester City lost their fourth consecutive game for the first time in Pep Guardiola’s career, leaving his side 5 points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table. How concerned should Guardiola be about City’s form, and is Liverpool’s momentum sustainable throughout the season? Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent and Off The Ball’s Will O’Callaghan joined Matt on Monday for a debrief of the weekend’s Premier League results. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.