The Last Word with Matt Cooper

New analysis has found that a nurse and a garda with a combined salary of €107,000 would be unable to afford a 3-bed semi-detached house in a number of Ireland's main commuter towns.Niall Hodgins, vice president of the Garda Representative Association, and Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation, join The Last Word to discuss what this means for essential workers.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Travel journalist Ed Finn joins The Last Word to discuss the appeal of train travel and the best routes in Europe. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

On Sunday, Donegal will face Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior Football Football Final at Croke Park.After such an exciting Gaelic football season under the new rules, are we set for a final for the ages? Could Jim McGuinness or Jack O'Connor spring any surprises to counter the attacking threat posed by their opposition?Former All-Ireland winners Marc Ó'Sé, Eamon Mc Gee and Ray Silke gave their predictions on Friday's The Last Word.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Riverdance star Michael Flatley is to seek nomination to become Ireland's next president, Hollywood's Irish stereotypes, and the BBC says it did not edit the Irish-language out of a portion of CMAT's latest single.Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications clinic, and broadcaster Fionnuala Jones join The Last Word to discuss the week's trending stories.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

On Thursday, Matt spoke to CNN anchor and Chief National Correspondent John King ahead of his appearance in Dublin’s National Concert Hall and the Town Hall Theatre in Galway in September.Matt asked him about US President Donald Trump’s second term in office, how the Epstein files may impact his popularity and the challenges facing journalists in an era where misinformation is a significant issue.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

A decision by AIB to require staff eligible for hybrid working to return to the office at least three days a week has sparked outrage amongst many of the bank's employees.This follows a trend of companies rolling back on remote working allowances which were implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic.John O’Connell, general secretary with the Financial Services Union, and Peter Cosgrove, managing director of Futurewise, join The Last Word to debate whether companies are right to insist on a return to the office.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Tech expert Andy O’Donoghue shares insights on must-have travel gadgets to enhance your journey. He highlights innovative backpacks with anti-theft features and stylish designs perfect for any traveler. Discover how to turn a standard backpack into a smart charging hub and the benefits of dedicated Wi-Fi hotspots like the Solus Pro 5G. O’Donoghue also recommends cool tech essentials for photography enthusiasts and personal care, ensuring you stay connected and looking great while on the road.

Rossa Ó Snodaigh, multi-instrumentalist with KÍLA talks to Matt about the new album, Raise The Road, and all his cultural influences from music, to movies, to TV and literature.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76.John Caddell joins The Last Word to pay tribute to a man who was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene but, in his later years, perhaps became better known for his family's reality show 'The Osbournes'.Catch the full conversation by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

New research from Outsurance has found that the average Irish driver will spend €10,373 to keep their car on the road this year. This can include fuel, maintenance, parking or unexpected costs such as repairs.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, spoke to Matt on Wednesday.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the chat.