The Last Word with Matt Cooper

It’s expected that fossil fuel boilers will be phased out entirely in new buildings by the end of 2024 with heat pumps being installed in 86% of new dwellings. But what are the alternatives to an oil or gas boiler and what about pre-existing homes? Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly and energy consultant Stephen McGovern joined Matt to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Rising interest rates have added almost €3,000 to the annual mortgage repayments for the typical first-time buyer. With more interest rate rises expected in the coming months this will likely increase further. Matt was joined by Charlie Weston, personal finance editor with the Irish Independent to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Nearly two-thirds of retail workers are earning less than €451 per week, according to new research from the Mandate trade union. Matt was joined by Gerry Light, general secretary of Mandate, and Neil McDonnell, chief executive of ISME to discuss this report, as well as calls for the introduction of a living wage. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Killer Kenneth Noye, who stabbed 21-year-old Stephen Cameron to death in 1996, has spoken about the murder for the first time since his release from prison in a new book. The journey towards arresting Noye for the murder was one with a lot of twists. Journalist Donal MacIntyre, co-author of A Million Ways To Stay On The Run: The Uncut Story Of The International Manhunt For Public Enemy No1 Kenny Noye joined Matt on The Last Word to discuss this story. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined Matt to discuss the stories making headlines in the US this week. This includes a UFO taskforce to look at suspected spy balloons, Mike Pence plans to fight a subpoena from the counsel investigating Donald Trump and Nikki Haley enters the 2024 presidential race. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

U2’s long-rumoured Las Vegas residency has been announced but the Irish band will be missing one member. Drummer Larry Mullen Jr won’t join U2 in Vegas because he has to undergo back surgery. To discuss this news and the other music stories making headlines this week Matt is joined by Dee Reddy and Dave Hanratty. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Over half of women and around 20% of men will experience a form of osteoporosis in their life. The common health condition weakens people’s bones making them more fragile and more likely to break. Dr Brian Higgins joined Matt to explain more about osteoporosis and what people can do to try and prevent it. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Rory O’Neill has been commended for his performance on RTE’s Dancing with the Stars, in which he dedicated his latest routine to Professor Fiona Mulcahy, one of the first doctors who treated him when he was diagnosed as HIV Positive. Also up for discussion with Joe O’Shea and Sarah McGuinness was ‘The Last of Us’, which reached the half-way mark on Friday night, ‘Liam Brady: The Irishman Abroad’, and ‘Better’, which may fill the Happy Valley-shaped void in your life. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Ireland and France served up a Six Nations fixture for the ages on Saturday as Andy Farrell’s side came out on top of a 32-19 scoreline at the Aviva Stadium. Matt Williams and Fergus McFadden analysed the significance of the win in the context of this tournament, and for the 2023 World Cup. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Concerns have been voiced about CCTV cameras that are currently in operation within Leinster House. Green Party TD Patrick Costello has called for Hikvision cameras, which have been linked to security issues in Britain, the USA and Australia to be removed. Mr. Costello, along with Ronan Murphy, CEO of SmartTech247, joined Matt to explain how these cameras are operated and whether they pose a safety threat. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.