The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Many growers are reporting that some of your favorite varieties of potatoes have been lost due to poor weather conditions this year have caused a shortage. Food Economist Ciaran Fitzgerald joins Ian to discuss the impact on you.

In an announcement after today's cabinet meeting, Eamon Ryan stated his intentions to step as leader of the Green Party, Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications and that he would not contest the next general election in the Dublin Bay South constituency.Daniel McConnell, Editor of The Business Post and Sarah Carey, Columnist for the Irish Independent join Ian Guider, standing in for Matt, to discuss the possible reasons behind the Minister's choice to step down after a disappointing showing for the Green Party in the recent local and European elections.Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government in DCU and Aisling Moloney, political correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail join the show to discuss what the future holds for the Green Party and who might be chosen as Ryan's successor.

Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon Ryan joined The Last Word to explain why he has taken the decision to step down as leader of the Green Party.

Dr Sabina Brennan, psychologist and neuroscientist, explains why she wanted to investigate the social media phenomenon of manifesting and find out if there was science based evidence for some of it's claims. She talks to Ian Guider about her new book, The Neuroscience of Manifesting.To catch the full conversation, press the 'Play' button below.

With further protests taking place outside the home of Taoiseach, Simon Harris over the weekend, the question is being raised across the country as to whether or not these protests should be put to a stop.Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor for the Irish Times and Fianna Fail Senator, Malcom Byrne joins The Last Word to discuss protests that have taken place over the last number months and a bill brought forward by Senator Byrne that could see protests outside the homes of politicians result in convictions and jail timeTo catch up on the full conversation, press the 'play' button below...

Sinéad Kennedy, author of Life is a Cycle and solo travel expert, joined The Last Word to discuss all the great things to see and do in the Spanish city of Salamanca.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Around 10,000 disqualified drivers have failed to hand over their licences in the last two years. Despite this, only 26 people were prosecuted and one convicted for the offence in 2022 and 2023.Conor Lally, security and crime editor with The Irish Times, joined The Last Word to discuss this issue.

Ali Ugur, chief economist with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, and Marian Finnegan, managing director of Sherry Fitzgerald Residential & Advisory, joined The Last Word to discuss why almost a quarter of first-time buyers are buying properties outside their own counties.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button on this page!

Brianna Parkins, Columnist with the Irish Times, and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star, joined Matt to discuss some of the big stories that made the news this week.Plus, Brianna explained why she has decided to move home to Australia after living in Ireland for 5 years.Click the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the full chat.

John Gibbons joins Matt to discuss the possible impacts the European election results may have on climate change measures as the new parliament term begins.To catch up on the full conversation, click the 'play' button below...