The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Former boss of Channel 4 Michael Grade has said the television industry faces a “watershed moment” after three participants of Married at First Sight UK made allegations of rape by their husbands. Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke speak to Matt on The Last Word’s TV & Streaming slot. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Barry Taylor joins The Last Word to discuss some great walking holidays that aren't the Camino. He has details on shorter routes in Ireland that could be done over a long weekend as well as longer routes abroad. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

While on a visit to Italy this week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, the first meeting between a pontiff and a Taoiseach since 2018. Meanwhile, CMAT made headlines as she won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Album for her album 'Euro-Country'. The Irish popstar used the opportunity to urge artists to stop "sitting on the fence". And a new survey has indicated a growing interest in the Irish language on both sides of the border. Cathal O’Sullivan and Elaine Burke join The Last Word to discuss all of these and more of the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word to review the week's biggest movie releases, 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' and 'Finding Emily'. He also discusses the latest movie news including reports that Michael Bay, the director behind 'Pearl Harbor', 'Armegeddon' and the Transformers movies, is set to direct a military drama based on the recent rescue of two US pilots in Iran. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

On Saturday, Leinster take on Bordeaux Begles in this year’s Champions Cup final. After so much heartbreak in the competition in recent seasons, can Leo Cullen’s side finally get over the line? Liam Toland and Matt Williams join Matt on The Last Word to preview the game. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Andy O'Donoghue talks to Matt about the latest gadgets for all kinds of holidays, whether a weekend getaway or a long haul, backpacking adventure. From cordless hair straighteners to satellite phones, Andy has you covered for all eventualities. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Author Rosemary Hennigan is the latest guest to join The Last Word for the Culture Club! She chats to Matt about her favourite music, movies, TV shows and more as well as her new novel 'The Hotel Guest'. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

A new survey conducted by Morgan McKinley has found that employers reversing rules regarding work from home arrangements has increased their considerations for leaving their jobs. The study also found that women are disproportionately impacted by having to return to the office more frequently. Tracy Keevans, Global Foreign Direct Investment Director at Morgan McKinley, speaks to The Last Word about the findings. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

This week on The Last Word, Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, looks at how much people's day-to-day costs have increased over the last five years. He also discusses Sky's latest crackdown on so-called 'dodgy boxes' and runs through the details of a new savings account from PTSB. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The US Justice Department announced Monday that it was establishing a $1.776 billion fund to compensate Trump allies who claim they were targeted by the Joe Biden administration. Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss the 'anti-weaponisation' fund, which is expected to pay out money to Jan. 6 rioters, and more of the latest news from the United States. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Former garda Paul Moody who abused and terrorised his former partner and the mother of his child over a number of years has been jailed for four years. This sentence marks the second time Moody has been jailed for abuse of a partner. In 2022, he was sentenced to three years and three months for coercive control of his former girlfriend, Nicola Hanney. Frank Greaney, Today FM courts correspondent, joins The Last Word to discuss today's sentencing. Hear the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

On Tuesday, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon brought draft legislation to tackle puppy farms before Cabinet. The legislation proposes various new measures including regulations around litter numbers, breeding age and standards of living conditions. Minister Heydon speaks to Matt on The Last Word about this. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

The Eurovision song contest took place in Vienna last week, with Bulgaria winning Saturday’s final with the song “Bangaranga”. But after Ireland and RTE’s boycott this year due to Israel’s participation in the competition, will they continue with the same stance in 2027? Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke join Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the discussion.

Following an survey of Irish holidaymakers' experiences of car hire abroad, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, it was found over 40% had issues with their car hires. Long wait times, hidden fees and the car not being as described were some of the issues reported. Orla Delargy, Deputy Communications Director at the CCPC, speaks to Matt about the survey and offers advice for those planning to hire cars abroad. To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Greece is home to more than 200 inhabited islands, many of which are very popular with Irish tourists. Kaitlin Murphy from thetravelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to run through what some of the Greek islands have to offer and to give some travel tips for anyone looking to go island hopping. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

It's Eurovision week but this year there is no Irish entry and viewers in Ireland will have to switch to the BBC if they want to watch the final in Austria. In other TV news this week, Wordle, the popular online game, is getting a TV adaptation. And, a statue to commemorate the mosquito that may have killed Oliver Cromwell has been proposed as a quirky new attraction for Cork city. Paddy Duffy and Fionnuala Jones join The Last Word to discuss these and more of the week's trending stories. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Former government minister Shane Ross has written his latest book, looking back on the history of the national broadcaster. He reflects on past controversies that threatened to impact its reputation and also looks forward to what the future might hold for the company. He speaks to Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

World Weather Attribution has conducted a study which found that 25% of matches at this year’s FIFA World Cup are likely to be played in temperatures over 26 degrees Celsius. Extreme heat conditions are most likely to be experienced in Miami, New York, New Jersey and New York. Officials insist they have plans in place to accommodate players if the weather gets too hot, but is it fair to expect them to compete in such conditions? Environmental commentator John Gibbons joins Matt on The Last Word. Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

This week for Tech Thursday, Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss some of the latest screenless wearable tech amid increasing demand for screen free smart watches and health tracking devices. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Ahead of bringing his Past & Present Tour to Dublin's Fairview Park & the SSE Arena in Belfast, David Gray joins Daniel McConnell on for The Last Word's Culture Club. Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear his choices.