The Last Word with Matt Cooper

Credit unions' mortgage and business lending capacity are set to treble in the coming years under proposals from the Central Bank.Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post, joins The Last Word to discuss what this means for customers and more of the day's business news.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page.

On Wednesday’s The Last Word, Vaughan Yates, founder of The Virgin Mary Bar, gave his choices of non-alcoholic drinks for you to enjoy throughout the Christmas period.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear what he picked.

Authors Edel Coffey and Kevin Power joined Matt on Wednesday for The Last Word’s annual Fiction Books of the Year slot.Edel’s choices included Ferdia Lennon’s “Glorious Exploits” and “Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney, while Kevin picked “The Proof of My Innocence” by Jonathan Coe and Colin Barrett’s “Wild Houses”, among many others.To hear their full list of choices hit the ‘Play’ button on this page.

Russell Alford and Patrick Hanlon, AKA the GastroGays and Restaurant Critics with the Sunday Times, had their choices of just some of their favourite cookbooks published in 2024.To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.Cook: Traditional Irish Cooking with Modern Twists by Graham HerterichSaladology by Theo Kirwan (Sprout & Co)Simply Jamie by Jamie OliverWhole Catch by Aishling MooreSeason by Mark MoriartyCooking with Anna Haugh: Modern Home Cooking With Irish Heart by Anna Haugh A Compendium of Irish Pints by Ali DunworthThe Home Sommelier by Brigid O'Hora

Judith Boyle, beverage lecturer at TU Dublin, had her seasonal choices of best beers and ales to pair with your Christmas diner or for parties during the holiday season.To listen to the full conversations, press the 'play' button below.

A 26-year-old has been charged with murdering Brian Thompson, UnitedHealthcare’s CEO.According to officials, Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania after he was spotted eating at a McDonald’s.Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas & Marion McKeone, US Correspondent with the Business Post, joined Matt for this week’s US slot to discuss this.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the conversation.

The (UK) Independent's Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, joins Matt to discuss all the action from the Premier League over the weekend.Chelsea announce themselves in the title race, Man City drop points again and Man United lose at home to soaring Forest.Hit 'Play' to get the latest.

Brigid O'Hora, author of The Home Sommelier and wine expert with Classic Drinks, introduced Matt to some new wines, white, red and sparkling, to try with the turkey and trimmings.Brigid's recommendations are; Cremant de Bordeaux Ballerin, NV. €40Avanzi Lugana Sirmione, Italy €15Bodegas Valdesil Godello, Valdeorras, Spain €24 Fleurie, Famille Chermette, Poncie, Beaujolais €18 Chateau Puynard, Cotes de Blaye ‘The Steps’ Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon €20 To listen to the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Sarah Slattery from travelexpert.ie joins The Last Word to discuss the best Christmas markets and experiences in Ireland this festive season. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ was written in just 15 minutes in August.It went on to become one of the most iconic Christmas tunes of all time.Join Louise Cantillon for a Last Word on Music Christmas Special, with the story behind Mariah Carey’s iconic 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'.