The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Epizodes

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  MetroLink Construction Activity Could Be Seen By Year End 16.09.2026 12min

  With MetroLink now set to be complete between 2036-2038, Lorcan O'Connor, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, outlines the latest estimates and timeline for the State's largest ever infrastructure project.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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  Personal Finance: Sharp Rise In Price Of Home Heating Oil 16.09.2026 8min

  There is growing pressure on Government to take action to bring down the cost of home heating oil after a sharp rise in prices in recent weeks.Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent, joins The Last Word to discuss whether the Government can bring in measures for households who are reliant on home heating oil.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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  Support Acts Leave Ed Sheeran’s Tour In Solidarity With Macklemore 16.09.2026 10min

  Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, singer-songwriter Finneas and Danish pop band Lukas Graham have all pulled out of their support slots for the North American leg of Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with fellow opening act Macklemore.Macklemore was axed from the lineup after he expressed his support for Palestine on stage in New Jersey last week. Sheeran insists that it was not his decision to remove the rapper from his tour.Dave Hanratty, host of the No Encore podcast, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.
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  The Last Word On Music: Ed Sheeran Issues Statement After Macklemore Dropped From US Tour Over Palestine Speech 15.09.2026 14min

  Ed Sheeran has addressed the removal of Macklemore as his tour support act after the rapper spoke in support of Palestine on stage.In a statement on Tuesday, the ‘Shape of You’ singer responded to criticisms made by Macklemore and said that his shows are not “a political forum”.John Caddell and Dee Reddy join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest music news including Monday’s announcement that Oasis will play two nights at Slane Castle next year.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page.
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  The Last Word On The US: Supreme Court Blocks Trump Plan To Curb Mail-In Voting 15.09.2026 15min

  US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the Supreme Court justices after they issued a ruling which blocks his executive order to restrict voting by mail before November's midterm elections.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!
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  HSE To Review Hospital Car Park Prices 15.09.2026 11min

  HSE has ordered a review of car parking charges at hospitals after an increase of 140% in revenue generated since 2021. The review will consider “affordability measures”, such as capped rates, concessions schemes, or broader reductions in charges.John Brady, Sinn Féin TD and chair of Public Accounts Committee and Emma Harte, Policy and Campaigns Manager at the Irish Cancer Society discussed the impacts of the parking costs on patients and their families. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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  Irish People Vastly Underestimating Cost Of Having A Car 15.09.2026 6min

  New research from the ESRI shows tha Irish people underestimate the cost of having and running a car by close to 50%.The research took into account a variety of expenses including fuel, insurance and more Senior Research Officer ESRI & Co-Author of the report Dr Shane Timmons joine Matt to discuss.Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  TV & Streaming: Netflix Ups Prices Again 14.09.2026 12min

  This week on The Last Word on TV & Streaming Matt is joined by Joe O’Shea and Kate Henshaw.Thay discuss Netflix upping its subscript prices to 18.99 a month, picks of the week and more Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  Siobhán Fenton Gives An Insiders View on Sinn Féin 14.09.2026 16min

  Former Sinn Féin media advisor Siobhán Fenton joins Matt to talk about her new book Ourselves Alone: Sinn Féin Behind Closed Doors.She discuss why she believes the party lost its way.Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  Oasis To Return To Ireland For Two Nights At Slane 14.09.2026 11min

  After much speculation, Oasis have announced that they will return to Ireland to play Slane Castle on the 4 and 5 of September 2027 as part of a new 38-date world tour.John Caddell and Frank Greaney join The Last Word to discuss when and how the tickets go on sale and what to expect from an Oasis gig. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!
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  Last Word on Sport: Manchester Derby Takes Centre Stage 11.09.2026 24min

  This Week on The Last Word on Sport, Dion Fanning and Tony Cascarino preview the weekend’s Premier League action.They discuss Sunday’s Manchester Derby, the upcoming Irish squad announcement and more Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  Kai Mark & Susan Goldmark On The Man Who Shaped Trump 11.09.2026 14min

  Kai Mark and Susan Goldmark join Matt to talk about one of the most significant figures in Donald Trump's life.Their new book American Scoundrel, Roy Cohn’s Journey From Joe McCarthy To Donald Trump tells his story.Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  The Week Trending: AI Warning, Sadie Sink AD & Musk Documentary 11.09.2026 20min

  This week on The Week Trending Matt is joined by writer and contributor to the Irish Times and Hot Press Roe McDermott and Irish Independent podcast producer, and host of No Encore podcast Dave Hanratty.They discuss the the new Sadie Sink ad, a stark warning about the future of AI and more Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  Eyewitness Accounts of 9/11 25 Years Later 11.09.2026 22min

  Paul McCormack, a retired deputy inspector with the NYPD and Marion McKeone tell their stories of being in New York on the day the World Trade Centre was attacked. Paul recounts sending his colleagues in Precinct 41 to the World Trade Centre as rescue efforts began. He talks about the arduous task of searching through the debris, and the long term affects of that day on his life, and the lives of thousands of others.Marion McKeone remembers the immediate after shocks and disbelief of the attacks and the noise, chaos and panic of the towers collapsing. Marion talks about the thousands of people, covered in yellow dust as they walked away.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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  Movies: Oasis: Don't Look Back In Anger 10.09.2026 13min

  The much-anticipated Oasis documentary 'Don't Look Back In Anger' hit the big screen this week, delving into the reconciliation of brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher and the stadium tour that followed in 2025.Cara O'Doherty reviews it, as well as 'Pressure' and 'Everybody Digs Bill Evans' on The Last Word's movies slot.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.
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  The Last Word on The Environment: Joint Hottest August Ever 10.09.2026 9min

  This week on The Last Word on the Environment John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the joint hottest ever month of August.They also discuss Minister for Climate Daragh O’Brien’s comments and more Hit Play on this page to listen now
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  Minister Daragh O’Brien On Energy Prices, Excise Cuts & Fare Increases 10.09.2026 20min

  Minister for Transport Daragh O’Brien sits down with Matt to discuss some of the biggest issues for the rest of the year.They discuss public transport fare increases, rising energy prices and more Hit Play on this page to listen now.
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  Tech Thursday: The Best Smart Speakers On The Market 10.09.2026 12min

  Andy O'Donoghue speaks to Matt on The Last Word to take a look at the best smart speakers on the market, and what features you should look out for when buying one.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.
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  Culture Club: Kyla Cobbler 09.09.2026 31min

  Cork comedian Kyla Cobbler is the latest inductee into The Last Word Culture Club. Kyla talks to Matt about her memoir Happy,Thank You, More Please and her rise to fame during Covid. She also talks through her favourite music, books, TV and more.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.
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  The Real Nigel Farage By John Sweeney 09.09.2026 14min

  Journalist John Sweeney joins Matt to talk about his new book The Real Nigel Farage: The Would-Be Prime Minister On Trial.They discuss whether the Reform leader is the ‘pound shop Donald Trump’Hit Play on this page to listen now