The Last Word with Matt Cooper

United Cancer Advocates Network is a newly formed group of cancer advocates who are pushing for better access to cutting edge drugs in Ireland.Chairperson Miriam Staunton joins The Last Word to discuss the challenges Irish cancer patients can face in getting access to new treatments.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Independent, says there has been a huge fall in personal injury claims, with the value of payouts also down, that has yet to be passed to consumers.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Ahead of World Autism Day, author Niamh Garvey talked about her late diagnosis and editing a book of essay from neurodiverse people.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated US columnist, and journalist Marion McKeone join Matt for a bumper edition of the The Last Word on the US.They discuss how US President Donald Trump's tariffs will impact the US; the Trump administration's threats to Greenland; and news that US prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of shooting dead UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has confirmed the Local Property Tax will rise next year. Most property owners will see it increase by between €5 and €25, with homes being reevaluated from November 2025.Minister Donohoe joined Matt to explain this decision and they also discussed how the introduction of tariffs on European goods by US President Donald Trump will impact Ireland.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear their conversation.

Sam Scriven, senior statistician with the Central Statistics Office, and Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, join The Last Word to discuss the latest inbound tourism figures which indicate a collapse in foreign visitors to Ireland.Matt is also joined by Kenny Jacobs, chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority, to discuss the Dublin airport passenger cap following reports that the government is considering a major intervention.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Kerry won the Division One National Football League on Sunday after a dominant win over Mayo at Croke Park.Elsewhere, Monaghan were crowned winners of Division 2, Offaly were winners in Division 3 and Limerick took the Division 4 title after beating Wexford on Saturday.But after approximately 30,000 people attended the games over the weekend, have the league finals lost their spark?Former Monaghan footballer Dick Clerkin spoke to Matt and Will O’Callaghan about the results.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

Stuart McNamara, spokesperson for The Irish Craft and Artisan Distilleries Association and director of Portmagee Whiskey in Kerry, and Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil MEP discuss the exposure of the Irish Whiskey Industry to US tariffs and what can be done to insure the future of jobs.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

Lise Hand, a seasoned journalist, and Dion Fanning, co-host of the 'Free State' podcast, dive into this week's hot topics. They discuss the European Union's push for 72-hour emergency kits amidst rising global tensions, reflecting on the implications of fear and national identity for Ireland. The pair also celebrate the inclusion of culturally significant terms like 'spice bag' in the Oxford English Dictionary, exploring the evolving nature of language and identity. Their conversation is both informative and infused with wit, making for an engaging listen.

Conor Gallagher, Security and Crime Correspondent, Irish Times and Prof Colin O’Gara, Head of Addiction Services, St John of God Hospital discuss the findings of an EU-wide study that found Ireland was second only to the Netherlands in terms of ecstasy use among young people.Press play on this page to catch the full conversation.