Claim OwnershipThe Last Word with Matt Cooper
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On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.
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As US-Israel strikes on Iran continue, President Donald Trump's war aims remain unclear as his administration officials have given conflicting reasons for the US operation.Edward Burke, assistant professor in the History of War since 1945 at UCD, Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist, and journalist Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The National Transport Authority's Walking and Cycling Index for 2025 has found that over 600k car journeys in Ireland's five largest cities are avoided every day, leading to a reduction of 120,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.Feljin Jose, Green Party Councillor and Maeve O’Connell, Fine Gael TD, speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.
On Saturday, GAA Congress was temporarily adjourned after protestors made their way into the event in Croke Park.Protestors were marching against the GAA's sponsorship deal with Allianz for the national football & hurling league, which runs until 2030.GAA President Jarlath Burns said the protests were “unacceptable” and that “a line had been crossed”.Colm Keys, GAA Correspondent with the Irish Independent, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
The escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has caused widespread disruption to air travel.Eoghan Corry, travel journalist, and Tom Randles, president of the Irish Travel Agents Association, join The Last Word to discuss what this means for passengers flying to or through the region and the potential long term impacts of this latest conflict on global aviation.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page?
The Irish Government is advising the 22,000 or more Irish citizens in the Gulf region to shelter in place.Matt talks to Catriona Lougran, communications director with CTG in Dubai and John Hayes, an Irish journalist and presenter on Al Arabiya English Channel in Dubai, about the air strikes launched over the region at the weekend, and what they are expecting over the coming days.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training at the Communications Clinic and journalist Lise Hand join Matt on The Last Word for The Week Trending.Among the topics up for discussion were whether the national anthem should be taught in schools, the fallout from the controversy at this year’s BAFTA Awards and Thomas Gould’s accent making headlines in Jamaica.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.
This week, Minister for Local Government James Browne suggested that the OPW should have the option to buy homes at risk of repeated flooding and demolish them to develop flood areas, rather than spending money to build flood defences.John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word about Minister Browne’s comments.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
Jennifer Bray, Political Editor Of The Sunday Times, talks to Matt about her debut novel, The Lies Between Us.Centering on the warring Brown sisters, the book deals with the fall out from the disappearance of Susannah Brown. Jennifer also talks about a life-altering attack that happened to her as a young journalist at the beginning of her career. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Are you a sports fanatic or a movie buff? Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through some of the best tech available to create your own home cinema.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy is the latest inductee into The Last Word's Culture Club, with Bob Dylan, John Williams and The Brady Bunch among some of his biggest influences.Andrew is currently starring in The Crucible, which runs in the Gaiety Theatre until March 21st.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear his picks.
Irish Households are paying twice as much for their electricity as data centres, according to a report by Eurostat.Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss this and also claims that Irish banks are ripping off young savers. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The High Court will rule next week whether the mother and sister of Enoch Burke were in contempt of court when they interrupted a case involving Enoch last week.Enoch Burke has now served 601 days in prison for contempt of court.Judge Brian Cregan heard submissions from Martina and Ammi Burke today about why they should not be imprisoned. Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor at Mediahuis Ireland, joins Matt to discuss the ongoing case.
Gabriel Sherman, author of Bonfire Of The Murdochs, talks to Matt about the succession story behind the Murdoch media empire, the driving forces behind Rupert Murdoch's ambitions and what drove the family apart.To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
Government has allocated an additional €19 million for special needs assistants (SNAs) to ensure there are no cuts in the 2026/27 academic year following outcry over plans to reduce the service provision in almost 200 schools.But SNAs, unions and parents say that this measure is just 'kicking the can down the road' and the Government must now engage with stakeholders to address issues relating to special education.Tabitha Monahan, political reporter with the Irish Independent, and Jesslyn Henry, SNA and Social Democrats councillor, join The Last Word to discuss.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
The US Justice Department buried some Epstein files which included allegations that President Donald Trump sexually abused a minor, according to an investigation by NPR.This comes despite Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Congress that no Epstein records were withheld or redacted “on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.”Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
Tuesday, February 24th 2026 makes it 4 years since Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces. In those four years, it’s estimated that over 15,000 civilians have been killed, with 2025 recording the highest death toll since 2022.Lara Marlowe, journalist and contributor to the Irish Times, speaks to Matt about the reality that Ukrainians have faced since the invasion and whether their faith in Europe to help end the war is fading.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.
Arsenal travelled to Tottenham on Sunday and got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their North London rivals.The result leaves Spurs sitting in 16th in the table and 4 points above the relegation zone. Given their current form, is the prospect of relegation now very real?Elsewhere on Sunday, violence erupted in Guadalajara after the leader of the Mexican cartel known as "El Mencho" was killed. Should they qualify, Ireland's first group game for the 2026 World Cup will be in Guadalajara. Are more questions being raised about the suitability of the location of this year's tournament, and are we likely to see fewer fans at games due to unrest?Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, speaks to Mat on The Last Word.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.
The BBC has removed its coverage of Sunday night’s BAFTA awards from iPlayer after a racial slur was broadcast on BBC One and remained uncorrected for a number of hours.It was said by John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette syndrome, as Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan took to the stage to present an award.The broadcaster has since apologised for the controversy and said that the footage will be re-edited.Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.
Passengers travelling between Ireland and Wales this week will be scanned with facial recognition technology as part of a pilot scheme that’s being rolled out across the UK.The move has received criticism, with Dr. Elizabeth Farries from University College Dublin saying that there are “established problems” with the technology.She, alongside travel commentator Eoghan Corry, speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.
Over half of Irish workers feel that their pay does not fairly reflect the skills and effort that they bring to their role, according to a new survey published by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).Owen Reidy, general secretary of ICTU, and Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME, join The Last Word to discuss the level of job quality in the Irish employment environment.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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Yet another pathetic contribution from Cal Thomas. Trotting out the MAGA line about people being bored of the Epstein files, then sticking his fingers in his ears and saying he wouldn't talk about it any more. Tough, Cal, isn't that why you're on this show? He contributes nothing but whataboutism. Get rid.
Same tedious regular mouthpieces on coopers biased drivel .... some club they have going here .... jobs for the boys and girls
Matt is so biased and left leaning there is no balance..
Suprised you didnt have alison o connor on matt but maybe shes exclusively rtes attack dog, as i said before what a amazing country we'd have if hacks like you pursued with the same vigor this discredited ( children's hospital 14.5000 homeless including 4000 children) rag tag "coalition" as you do the shinners, thousands marching from the service industry of which i was 1 while genocide is ongoing in the middle east but the usual tropes and the playing the man instead of the ball continues.
#Free_Palestine #Down_with_Israel
If Cal Thomas didn't have whataboutery he'd have nothing. He's a tiresome bore.
Hahaha Sarah McGuinness thinking the fake tan article had merit 😂 Absolutely delighted to see people trying to import identity politics and the makey-uppy nonsense of cultural appropriation to Ireland left with egg on their faces 😂
Jennifer Gannon - idiotic take.
couldn't hear Neale on this interview, audio very poor.
2
Sorry Eoin but Harry's game by Clannad Trumps these.. Try Nils Frahm or Olafur Arnold's
Matt well done for highlighting finally the savagery unleashed on this Irish International sports star... Hopefully the Media will continue to press the powers that be into acting and supporting James , These sectarian Neanderthal knuckledraggers have no place in a progressive Society.
Kearney's a wet towel
Episodes are annoyingly frequent