The Last Word with Matt Cooper

This week has been dominated by the ongoing story of how the State sought to deny, delay and discount the compensation people were owed for their nursing home care. But is this the first time something like this has happened? Mick Clifford, special correspondent with the Irish Examiner joined Matt to discuss the State’s history of ignoring its obligations to citizens who are often the most vulnerable. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Wholesale gas prices have dropped and are now below what they were before the war in Ukraine began. However, many people won’t see a drop in their energy bills for a while yet. Matt was joined by Charlie Weston, personal finance editor of the Irish Independent to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Ireland has a long history with emigration to the United States. Many women were among the wave of Irish emigrants in the 19th and 20th century and a lot of them found a quiet and better life. But what about those who didn’t? Dr. Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick, authors of Bad Bridget joined Matt to discuss the crimes, mayhem and untold lives of Irish emigrant women. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Most people will suffer from some form of back pain throughout their lives. But what causes it and how can it be dealt with? Dr Brian Higgins joined Matt to talk all about back pain. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

There have been growing numbers of protests targeting refugees and asylum seekers in recent months. Online livestreams of just seven of the anti-migrant protests that took place in Ireland early this year were viewed more than one million times. To discuss why we are seeing more far-right demonstrations, Matt was joined by Paul Hosford, political correspondent with the Irish Examiner, and Aoife Gallagher, senior analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

DJ Calvin Harris and rapper Travis Scott will headline this summer’s Longitude Festival in Marlay Park. To discuss this and the week’s other music stories Matt is joined by John Caddell and Dee Reddy. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined Matt to discuss the week’s biggest news stories in the US including the murder of Tyre Nichols, with seven police officers now suspended. For the full chat click the 'Play' button on this page.

Joe O’Shea and Sarah McGuiness joined Matt to discuss the baffling phenomenon of viewers watching TV and streaming services with the subtitles on (in the same language). They also highlighted two fantastic picks of the week, including a new Netflix documentary about the life of Pamela Anderson.

Karina Molloy was one of the first women to join the Irish Army, where she rose through the ranks against a backdrop of systematic inequality and abuse. She served on 11 tours of duty and ended her career with the rank of Company Quarter Master Sergeant. In 2021, Karina was also involved in the documentary Women of Honour, which outlined abuse in the Irish Army. On The Last Word, Karina spoke to Matt about her new book A Woman In Defence. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

Liverpool’s poor run of form continued over the weekend after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton. However, Brighton’s celebrations were marred by Fabinho’s tackle on Evan Ferguson which saw the 18-year-old leave The Amex on crutches. With the Republic of Ireland getting their World Cup qualifying campaign underway in March, could Stephen Kenny be without his best attacking threat against France? Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.