

The Last Word with Matt Cooper
Today FM
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2026 • 21min
Trump Demands 'Immediate Negotiations' For US Purchase Of Greenland
US President Donald Trump demanded "immediate negotiations" for the purchase of Greenland by the US and said he would not use force to take the island in a rambling address at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.Journalist Marion McKeone, Edward Burke, assistant professor in the History of War at UCD, and Tom Carstensen, journalist based in Copenhagen, join The Last Word to discuss the Trump's remarks which also took aim at Europe and declared an 'economic miracle' in the US under his presidency.Hear the full discussion by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Jan 21, 2026 • 11min
Gardaí To Be Given Powers To 'Spy' On Mobile Phones
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has presented new legislation to Cabinet that will allow gardaí to use controversial technology to gain access to encrypted messages on services such as WhatsApp.Some politicians and groups are concerned about the potential abuse of the technology against members of the public.Pat Leahy, former Assistant Garda Commissioner and Olga Cronin, Surveillance and Human Rights Senior Policy Officer, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, debate the issue.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Jan 20, 2026 • 20min
How Ozempic Is Changing The World
Journalist Aimee Donnellan, author of 'Off The Scales', joins The Last Word to talk about how the weight loss drug Ozempic was developed and why she says it’s the biggest pharmaceutical discovery in decades.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Jan 20, 2026 • 21min
The Last Word On The US: Trump Looms Large Over Davos
World leaders have gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting which is taking place against the backdrop of escalating US-EU tensions over Greenland. Many political leaders took the opportunity to hit out at Donald Trump's foreign policy ahead of the US president's arrival in Davos on Wednesday.Paris based journalist Lara Marlowe, Cal Thomas, US 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!

Jan 20, 2026 • 14min
Brooklyn Beckham Breaks Silence On Family Feud
On Monday, Brooklyn Beckham launched an attack on his parents, David and Victoria, claiming that he has been “controlled by a family that value public promotion above all else”.Rumours have swirled about a fallout within the family since Brooklyn married his wife, Nicola Peltz-Beckham, in 2022. Brooklyn claims that Victoria “cancelled making Nicola’s dress at the eleventh hour” and that his parents “repeatedly pressured and attempted” to bribe him into signing away the rights to his name.What level of damage has this statement done to the so-called “Brand Beckham”, how should David and Victoria react to the situation, and can the family’s relationship be mended following these allegations?Broadcaster Fionnuala Jones and Eoghan Tomás McDermott, MD with the Communications Clinic, speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.

Jan 19, 2026 • 17min
EU Leaders React To Trump Tariff Threats
As Trump doubles down on this treat to impose tariffs on eight European countries if he is not allowed to buy Greenland, EU leaders are due to meet on Thursday to consider all retaliatory options open to them.Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews, Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist with the Institute of Economic and European Affairs and Derek Scally, Berlin Correspondent with the Irish Times, discuss the implications of the threatened tariffs and the options that are open to Europe.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Jan 19, 2026 • 11min
The Last Word On Travel: Mexico
If you're looking to plan a trip to Mexico during 2026, Kaitlin Murphy from TheTravelExpert.ie has all the best tips and tricks to get the most out of your holiday.She speaks to Will O'Callaghan on Monday's The Last Word, hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the chat.

Jan 19, 2026 • 10min
Black Market Cosmetic Treatments Leaving Teens With Permanent Damage
Doctors who carry out aesthetic treatments like Botox and lip filler say that they are increasingly dealing with the fallout of botched procedures that have been done by unregulated injectors and that some of these patients are as young as 15.Dr Caitríona Kieran, aesthetic practitioner, joins The Last Word to discuss the rise in black market cosmetic treatments and calls for better regulations to protect young people.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Jan 16, 2026 • 12min
Calls For Longer Pub Openings If Ireland Qualifies For World Cup
In order to qualify for the World Cup in the Summer, Ireland has to win two away games in March and April. The World Cup will take place in Mexico, Canada and America.Barry Heneghan, Independent TD for Dublin Bay North and Sheila Gilheany, chief executive, Alcohol Action Ireland debate whether pubs should be granted licenses to extend hours during the World Cup, if Ireland qualifies.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Jan 15, 2026 • 11min
Ireland Set For More Extreme Weather As 2025 Was Third Hottest On Record
Sadhbh O’Neill, a climate and environmental researcher known for her work with The Irish Times, dives into the alarming findings that 2025 was the third hottest year on record. She highlights Ireland's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels and the staggering energy demands of data centres. Sadhbh critiques the conflict between renewable energy policies and corporate power dynamics. Additionally, she urges action on district heating systems, warning that without urgent political will, extreme weather events will only worsen.


