The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Journalist and Author Dave Hannigan has released his latest book “We Need To Talk About Roy - The Keanification of Modern Ireland”, in which he explores Ireland’s obsession with one of Cork’s most famous sons and how his life mirrors that of the development of Irish society in the last 5 decades.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear his chat with Matt on The Last Word.

Minister for Housing James Browne announced that the government intends to loosen existing rules around one-off homes in rural Ireland for people facing difficulties around planning permission.But is this the most environmentally friendly approach?Commentator John Gibbons gives his thoughts to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Human rights lawyer David Haigh joins The Last Word to discuss the harsh reality behind Dubai’s ‘paradise’ image amid the ongoing Iran conflict.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Musician and composer Colm Mac Con Iomaire, is the latest inductee into the Last Word Culture Club.He talks to Matt about being a founding member of The Frames (numbers 92 and 31 in Today FM's 100 Greatest Irish Songs) and working with The Swell Season before launching his solo career. Colm also discusses his favourite movies, books and music, including a once in a lifetime festival at Tramore in 1993.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

A nightmare performance in the Champions League for Tottenham Hotspurs against Atletico Madrid saw the team's goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky substituted after just 17 minutes.Tony Cascarino, former Republic of Ireland international, joins The Last Word to discuss whether Spurs interim manager, Igor Tudor, made the right call in taking Kinsky off the pitch and what's going wrong for the club.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The latest figures for car sales in Ireland indicate that electric vehicles will outpace the combined sales of petrol and diesel cars this year and this may speed up if petrol and diesel prices continue to rise due to the war in Iran.Paddy Comyn, head of automotive content and communications at DoneDeal, and Geraldine Herbert, motoring editor with the Sunday Independent, join The Last Word to discuss what's happening in both the new and used EV markets and the issues that may be putting people off making the switch to electric.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Your broadband, TV or phone bill could get steeper next month after Eir, Sky, Three and Vodafone all announced price increases from April.The cost could see some packages rise by €100 per year.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the war in Iran is a "short-term excursion" but his defence chief has warned that the United States' offensive won't end until Iran is "totally and decisively defeated", raising further questions about the Trump administration's objectives in the middle east.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the US.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Lebanon's president Joseph Aoun has called for talks with Israel to negotiate a plan to end the conflict with Hezbollah. The calls come as the death toll in Lebanon from Israeli strikes nears 500.According to the United Nations, over 700,000 people - including 200,000 children - have been displaced over the past 9 days.Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent with The Independent, speaks to Matt from Beirut to explain the situation.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor at UCD, Dr David Coleman, talks to Matt about his new book, Fear Less. It's a 10-step guide to helping children take charge of anxiety.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.