
The Last Word with Matt Cooper
On Ireland's most cutting edge current affairs show, Matt and his guests provide a running stream of intelligent opinions and heated debates on the issues that matter most to Irish listeners. You might not always agree, but you'll never want to miss a Word.
Episodes

Culture Club: Kyla Cobbler
Cork comedian Kyla Cobbler is the latest inductee into The Last Word Culture Club. Kyla talks to Matt about her memoir Happy,Thank You, More Please and her rise to fame during Covid. She also talks through her favourite music, books, TV and more.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The Real Nigel Farage By John Sweeney
Journalist John Sweeney joins Matt to talk about his new book The Real Nigel Farage: The Would-Be Prime Minister On Trial.They discuss whether the Reform leader is the ‘pound shop Donald Trump’Hit Play on this page to listen now

GAA Representatives Insist The Association Is “Not Ready” For Integration
On Tuesday, Mary McAleese announced her decision to step down from her position as chair of the Steering Group on Integration, which was overseeing the merging of the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association.So, what now for the future of the plan, which the GAA insists won’t be completed by the 2027 deadline?Colm Keys, GAA Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Fine Gael senator Evanne Ní

Personal Finance: Bord Gáis Hikes Prices For 700k Customers
This week on The Last Word on Personal Finance Charlie Weston Joins Matt to offer advice advice after the news that Bord Gáis is significantly hiking it’s prices Hit Play on this page to listen now

The Last Word on the US: 25 Years Since 9/11
This week on The Last Word on the US, Cal Thomas and Marione McKeone bring us all the latest news fro stateside including looking ahead to the 25th anniversary of 9/11.Hit Play on this page to listen now

Govt Urged To Attend Trial Of Irishman Accused Of Criminal Damage To Israeli Arms Factory In Germany
Mimi Tatlow Golden, mother of Daniel Tatlow Devally, speaks to Matt ahead of her son's trial.Daniel has been detained in Germany since September 2025, along with four other activists after an alleged break-in at an Elbit Systems defence factory in the German City of Ulm. Daniel was denied bail as he was considered a flight risk.Campaigners are calling for an independent observer to attend the tria

Over a Fifth of Adults in Ireland are Obese
22% of Irish adults are considered obses according to new figure from the European Commission.HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity Professor Donal O’Shea joins Matt to discuss what these figures meanHit Play on this page to listen now

Katie Taylor’s Final Fight Draws 1.6m Viewers
On Monday, RTE released its viewing figures for Katie Taylor’s fight vs Flora Pili at Croke Park, with her final bout reaching a peak audience of 1.6million people.Elaine Burke, Joe O’Shea and Kate Henshaw speak to Matt on The Last Word’s TV & Streaming slot.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Solicitors Row Pushes Court Cases Back
Conor Hanly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and Eoghan O’Sullivan, partner with Powderly Solicitors, discuss the implications of the continuing strike by solicitors who've left the free legal aid registry over changes to the structure of payments. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Katie Taylor Wraps Up Her Career At Croke Park
Katie Taylor will wrap up an incredible boxing career this Saturday at a sold-out Croke Park. Gavan Casey, sportswriters with the 42.ie, joins The Last Word to look ahead to Taylor's farewell fight against French boxer Flora Pili. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Last Word On Football: Former Ref Mike Dean Slammed After 'Secret Games' Comment
Former referee Mike Dean landed in hot water this week after he said on a podcast that he used to entertain himself by playing games with other officials during matches 'as a laugh'.Dion Fanning and Tony Cascarino join The Last Word to discuss whether the 'cult of the referee' has gone too far.They also look ahead to the weekend's Premier League games with Arsenal hosting Chelsea the pick of the b

The Week Trending: EP Waste, Decolonising World Maps & The Traitors Geoblocking
Emma Nolan, presenter of Spin Breakfast, and Lorcan Nyhan, head of training at the Communications Clinic, join The Last Word for The Week Trending.They chat about waste at Electric Picnic, efforts to decolonise the world map, and complaints that viewers in Northern Ireland can't watch The Traitors Ireland on RTÉ Player.Hear all that and more by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Irish House Prices Overvalued By 17%, Says ESRI
New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that Irish house prices are overvalued by over one fifth.This is due to a combination of factors including a shortage of supply, house prices rising faster than income levels and increases in mortgage rates.Dr. Paul Egan, Senior Research Officer at the ESRI and Marian Finnegan, Chief Executive of the Sherry FitzGerald Gr

Author Interview: Sebastian Barry
Sebastian Barry talks to Matt about his latest novel, The Newer World, which tells the story of Tennyson Bouguereau, a freed slave trying to find meaning in post-Civil War America.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Deliberations In Lindsay Clancy Trial Enter Sixth Day
The jury in the Lindsay Clancy triple murder trial has failed to deliver a verdict for a second time.Ms. Clancy has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her three children by reason of insanity, with her lawyers saying she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings.Marion McKeone explains to The Last Word what we know from the trial so far.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page

How Will El Niño Impact Ireland This Autumn?
The World Meteorological Organisation has said that El Niño, which changes weather patterns around the world, will likely cause all land areas to experience higher than normal temperatures between now and February next year.What effects will we feel from it here in Ireland?Commentator John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word’s environment slot.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the pie

The Last Word On Tech: Apps To Help You Manage Your News Subscriptions
Is your phone constantly being blown up by news notifications? Have you completely lost track of what outlets you're subscribed to?Andy O'Donoghue joins The Last Word to run through the best apps to help you get the best out of your news subscriptions.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Culture Club: Paul Noonan
Musician Paul Noonan is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. Best known as the lead singer of Bell XI, Paul has founded many other musical projects including The House Plants and Pilgrims. Paul talks to Will O'Callaghan about his work as a music therapist, as well as his upcoming gig at the NCH with Pilgrims and the music, books and movies that have soundtracked and influenced his own life

70% Of Kids Have Social Media Accounts Despite New Regulations
CyberSafeKids has published it's annual report entitled 'The Year Little Changed.' The report surveyed 6,000 children aged between 8 and 12, and found that despite legal obligations, there's been no reduction in underaged children accessing Apps for 13+.Alex Cooney, CEO, CyberSafeKids and Adrian Weckler, technology editor, Irish & Sunday Independent, discuss the findings of the report.To catch

Personal Finance: How To Save Money Between Now And Christmas
If you’re looking for ways to save money between now and the end of the year, Charlie Weston of the Irish Independent has some tips for how you can do just that.He speaks to Will O’Callaghan on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Former Ireland Rugby Star On His Descent Into Drug Addiction
Ryan Caldwell is a former rugby star who played for Ireland and Ulster, but his story, as detailed in his incredible autobiography 'White Lines', is far from a typical sports story.Ryan joins The Last Word to discuss his descent into drug addiction, ending up in a prison cell, and how he rebuilt his life.Hear the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Last Word On The US: Trump Threatens TV Host For Reporting Facts
Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss the latest news from the United States including President Donald Trump threatening an NBC host over her coverage of his candidate endorsements in the primary elections. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Last Word On TV & Streaming: The Traitors Ireland Returns
Elaine Burke and Joe O'Shea join The Last Word to discuss the return of The Traitors Ireland, how to watch Katie Taylor's final fight, and the best new shows to watch on TV and streaming this week. Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Finding Humour In The Logistics Of A United Ireland
Paul Howard follows his much loved Ross O'Carroll Kelly series of books with a new satire focusing on plans for a united Ireland.In A Nation Once Again, world-weary diplomat Fiach O'Bric is asked to head up a clandestine unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs that is tasked with resolving the finer details of reunification of Ireland, such as deciding if Dublin should remain the capital and who

The Last Word On Travel: Spa & Wellness Breaks
Sarah Slattery, thetravelexpert.ie, has a rundown of all of the best Spa destinations on offer across Ireland to suit every budget.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

As Killarney Suffers Worst Ever Floods, Should We All Pay Extra To Help Homeowners Who Can't Get Flood Insurance?
Residents of Killarney, Co Kerry were caught by surprise on Thursday night when torrential downpours led to "chaos" in the town.Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue joins The Last Word to discuss what happened and the extent of the clean-up operation.John Ryan, chief underwriter at Allianz Insurance, also joins to discuss a proposal from Insurance Ireland to introduce a levy of €24 per insured house

The Last Word On Movies: Remembering Tim Curry & Dolly Parton's Filmography
Brian Lloyd joins The Last Word for the weekly movie slot with three new releases to review: Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller 'The Dog Stars', the explicit (and very funny) comedy 'I Want Your Sex', and the high-concept rom-com 'One Night Only'.Brian also pays tribute to the actor Tim Curry, best known for his role in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', who died this week aged 80, and he disc

Environment: Should We Stockpile Food To Prepare For National Emergencies?
UK citizens will be told to stock up on some food types in order to ensure they’re prepared for national emergencies.Should that be something that’s implemented here in Ireland?Commentator John Gibbons speaks to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Tech Thursday: AI Enhanced Wearable Fitness Trackers
AI is transforming health tracking from a collection of raw numbers into a personal coach. By analysing heart rate, sleep stages, and skin temperature, these tools translate biometric data into fitness plans.Andy O'Donoghue runs through the best of the fitness wearables on the market, from watches to rings to compression shorts. To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Culture Club: Liz McManus
Former Labour politician and writer Liz McManus is the latest Culture Club inductee, as she marks the release of her new book, Tiny Bruises.The book uses historical events as a springboard for 12 stories that shine a light on the last century of Irish life. Liz talks to Matt about the inspiration for the book. She also chats about the music, books, movies and other cultural favourites that have sh

The Last Word Remembers The Life And Work Of Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a short battle with cancer.The country music legend was known for hit songs such as Jolene and I Will Always Love You as well as her extensive philanthropic work.Ed Smith and Keith Duggan join The Last Word to discuss Parton's musical talent and the incredible legacy she leaves behind.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

The Last Word On Music: Electric Picnic 2026 Preview
Electric Picnic 2026 takes place in Stradbally, Co. Laois this weekend with an estimated 80,000 people set to attend.Gorillaz, Zara Larsson, Sombr and Lewis Capaldi will feature across the weekend alongside top Irish talent like CMAT, Fontaines DC and Amble.Dave Hanratty and John Caddell speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear their chat.

The Last Word On The US: Canada To Match US Tariffs As Trade War Escalates
Canada has announced its response to the tariffs imposed by US president Donald Trump as the trade war between the two countries deepens and both sides continue to throw insults across the border.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone join The Last Word to discuss this and more of the latest news from the United States including Trump's threat to sanction countries that trade with Iran.Catch the full chat

How Was A Doctor Able To Review HSE Patient Scans When His Medical Licence Was Revoked In Two Countries?
A report in the Irish Times this week highlighted the case of a radiologist who reviewed scans for HSE patients through an external company, despite having his licence revoked in two countries for misreading images.Shauna Bowers, health correspondent with Irish Times, and Professor Matthew Sadlier, vice president of the Irish Medical Organisation, join The Last Word to discuss how this can happen

Man United Beaten By Newly Promoted Hull On Opening Premier League Weekend
Manchester United began their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a shock defeat to Hull on Saturday afternoon.Meanwhile, Keith Andrews' Brentford had the perfect start with a commanding win over Tottenham, and Liverpool rescued a point against Newcastle thanks to a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent and Off The Ball's Will O'Callaghan join

TV & Streaming: The Traitors Ireland Returns This Week
The Traitors Ireland returns to our screens on Sunday night, and Matt speaks to Darren Smith, Managing Director of Kite Entertainment about what fans can expect from the castle this year.Elaine Burke and Joe O’Shea also join to discuss the new series, plus the Netherlands’ decision to pull boycott Eurovision for the second year running.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Another Side Of Costa Del Sol
Sarah Slattery, thetravelexpert.ie, explains why there is much more to the Costa Del Sol than beaches and bars. Sarah has all you need to know to explore the Spanish coastline including the famous white villages scattered along the hilltops, a walk through the Caminito Del Rey, and the marble streets of Malaga city, with it’s shops and museums.To catch the full conversation, press the ‘play’ butto

Premier League 2026/27 Season Preview
The new season of the Premier League begins on Friday night with champions Arsenal hosting newly promoted Coventry at the Emirates Stadium.Can Arteta's side go back-to-back, what should we expect from Man City under Enzo Maresca and can Liverpool put their woes from last season behind them?Gavin Cooney of the Irish Times, former Ireland international Tony Cascarino and co-host of the Free State po

The Week Trending: Cork Buskers Targeted, Mark Zuckerberg’s Castle & The Return of the Train Trolley
This week on The Week Trending, Matt is joined by Journlist Lise Hand and podcast producer with the Independent and host of No Encore podcast Dave Hanratty.They discuss the ‘targeting’ of buskers in Cork, Mark Zuckerberg buying a castle in Ireland, the return of the Irish Rail trolley and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism And The War On Democracy
Author of The Nerd Reich, Gil Durán, joins The Last Word to explore how 'tech fascism' continues to influence U.S politics. To listen to the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page.

Tech Thursday: 29 US States Take On Meta Over Safety Record
A landmark US case is asking whether Meta deliberately designed parts of it's social media platforms to keep children and teenagers compulsively engaged. The case further claims that Meta knew those designs could cause harm, and then misled the public about the risks. Andy O'Donoghue explains the case and the implications for Meta if the US states are successful. To catch the full conversatio

Why Are Prince Harry And Meghan Returning To The UK?
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will return to the UK later this month after six years of living in the US with their two children reportedly due to start school there in September.Nick Ferrari, presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast on LBC Radio, joins The Last Word to discuss what triggered their move and what their life will be like upon their return.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play

Culture Club: Gill Perdue
Crime writer, Gill Perdue, is the latest inductee into the Culture Club. Her novel, All Of Them Lie, centers around Thea, who is recovering from an injury and memory loss following a family holiday to Italy. All she has are some notes on her phone to remind her what has happened.Gill talks to Matt about her new book, and her favourite music, movies, books and TV shows that have inspired her in lif

New Doc Goes Behind The Scenes Of The Healy Rae's Bitter Fallout
A new documentary details the Healy-Rae family's 50-year political dominance in Kerry and goes behind the scenes on the dramatic split between brothers Michael and Danny.Jerry Kennelly, executive producer of The Healy Raes: Blood, Sweat and Tears, joins The Last Word to discuss the legacy and the future of this political dynasty.Catch the full by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Fall In Baptisms Could Have Huge Impact On Schools & GAA Clubs
New research from the Iona Institute reveals that there has been a 30% decrease in baptisms over the last ten years in Ireland. Tom Finegan, Chair of the Iona Institute, and Dan O'Brien, Chief Economist with the Institute of International & European Affairs, join The Last Word to discuss the wider impact this figure may have on the near future.To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this p

Irish Shoppers To Be Hit With New Charge On Goods From Outside EU
Irish shoppers are set to be hit with a handling fee later this year for goods purchased outside the EU.It’s predicted to cost an extra €2, which will be separate to the €3 minimum custom charge which was introduced in the summer.Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Irish Independent, joins Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Friederich's Ataxia Sufferers Call On HSE To Approve Drug They Say Would Transform Their Lives
Emily Felix is 28 and has had Friedrich’s Ataxia since she was 12 years of age. She is leading a campaign, along with other people who suffer from the condition, for the HSE to provide access to a new drug that slows the progression of the condition.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

The Last Word On The US: Who Is Natalie Harp? The Trump Aide Facing Claims Of 'Unhealthy' Relationship With The President
Democratic Senator John Ossoff, who is thought to be laying the ground for a presidential run in 2028, took aim at Donald Trump over the weekend over his handling of the US-Israel war on Iran.But it was Ossoff's reference to Trump aide Natalie Harp that garnered the most headlines, renewing public scrutiny of her perceived closeness to the US president.Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined The Last

Should Loud Phone Calls & Videos Be Banned In Public?
The pub chain JD Wetherspoon announced this week that it has banned customers from playing music or taking calls on speaker after complaints that the noise was driving people "nuts".But should loud phone use in public be accepted as a normal part of modern life or should something be done to stop it?Rachel O’Donnell, owner of the Hi-B pub in Cork, and TV producer Paddy Duffy join The Last Word to

Palestinian Students Have Visa Applications Rejected
More than 30 Palestinian students have had their visas to study in Ireland rejected, despite full scholarships being granted by colleges across the country.Dr. Sarah Sartori, Universities of Sanctuary representative at South East Technical University and Alannah Faulker, a trainee solicitor with Phoenix Law speak to Matt on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the discussion.

Five Dead After Car Drives On Wrong Side Of Motorway
Five teenagers were killed and four other people were seriously injured after a BMW was driven down the wrong side of the M9 in Co Kildare. This is the second crash within a week, where a car was purposely driven in to oncoming traffic. There is also a fear that reckless driving is being videoed and posted online for likes. Gardaí are also calling for more training on active pursuit of vehicles.To

TV & Streaming: Rose Of Tralee 2026 Gets Underway
Joe O’Shea and Elaine Burke join The Last Word for Monday’s TV & Streaming slot.Up for discussion this week is the return of The Rose of Tralee festival, a documentary looking at the lives and careers of the Healy Rae brothers, and the death of Nashville actress Hayden Panettiere.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

The Week Trending: Age Gap Relationships, Dobby the Elf & Flight Radar
This week on The Week Trending Will O’Callaghan is joined by Emily Keegan and Cathal O’Sullvan to discuss the week’s stories They chat about controversial age-gap relationships, people’s obsession with the flight radar and more Hit Play on this page to listen now

Broken Engine Parts Blamed for Man Being Sucked Out of Ryanair Flight
A preliminary by the National Transportation Safety Board into the incident where a man was aprtially sucked out of the window of a Ryanair flight has blamed engine parts flying into the window Will IO’Callaghan is joined by Editor of TravelExtra.ie Eoghan Corry to discuss Hit Play on this page to listen now

Donal Ryan: Where Are The Kings
Donal Ryan joins The Last Word to discuss his writing process, character development, and how he tackles themes of grief presented in his latest novel, Where Are The Kings.To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Why Has Alison Chawke Been Released from Prison After Just 4 Weeks?
Alison Chawke and her brother were jailed last month for a serious assault in a Limerick hotel in November 2023.Yesterday she was released after spending just four weeks behind bars.Daniel McConnell is joined by lecturer at the School of Law in the University of Galway Dr Conor Hanly and Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Matt Carthy TD to discuss.Hit Play on this page to listen now.

The FAI Withdraws Support for Gianni Infantino
After weeks of silence Ireland’s Football Association has publicly withdrawn its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino.Sports Journalist with the Irish Times Gavin Cooney joins Daniel McConnell to discuss this and more.Hit Play on this page to listen now

Tech Thursday: Back To College Tech
With students returning to college in the coming weeks, Andy O’Donoghue looks at the best tech available to students on the market and what features to look out for when investing in a laptop or tablet.He speaks to Daniel McConnell on The Last Word.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Culture Club: Peadar Tóibín
Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú, joins The Last Word for the Culture Club. He chats about the music, movies, TV shows and other cultural influences that have shaped his life.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

Who is the Irish man at the Right Hand of Gianni Infantino?
Irish man Dan O’Toole is a close advisor to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and was supposedly at the heart of the plan to sell a stake in the World Cup.Irish Times Sport Correspondent Gavin Cooney joins Daniel McConnell to explain who he is Hit Play on this page to listen now

Government Expected To Make €1.67bn On Vat From Fuel
The Government is expected to rake in €1.67bn in Vat on fuel this year, amid rising energy prices caused by the war in Iran.To discuss, The Last Word is joined by Charlie Weston, the Irish Intendent's Personal Finance Editor.To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Booksellers Suspect AI Companies Behind Bulk Purchases
Kenny’s bookshop in Galway have said they received an order for thousands of books, which has raised concerns about its potential use for AI.While it’s not unusual for bookstores to receive large orders from places like libraries, this time the identity of the purchaser wasn’t revealed and a lot of the books were out of date.Tomás Kenny of Kenny’s Bookshop and Elaine Burke, host of the For Tech’s

Calls To Delay Excise Duty Increases
Opposition parties have urged the Government to postpone plans to return fuel excise duty costs to their full price due to ongoing concerns over the cost-of-living crisis.Vat charged on electricity, gas, petrol and diesel is expected to be €238m higher this year due to the worsening energy crisis.Louise Burne, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, and Kevin McPartlan, Chief Executive of F

How Has The Hot Weather Impacted Irish Farming?
While many of us have enjoyed the warm and dry conditions experienced across the country throughout the summer months, Irish farmers say that working conditions have become increasingly difficult due to water shortages and increased costs.Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers Association, speaks to Will O’Callaghan on The Last Word to explain the challenges facing the agriculture industry

Daniel Kinahan Spends First Night In Custody Following Dubai Extradition
Daniel Kinahan woke up on Monday morning in Portlaoise Prison after his high security extradition from Dubai.The alleged crime boss landed in Dublin on Sunday evening on the Government jet.Conor Lally, crime and security editor with the Irish Times, joins The Last Word to outline what happened upon Kinahan’s return to Ireland.Later, criminologist Trina O’Connor, Dr Pat Leahy, former assistant gard

Last Word On Travel: Madeira
Sinead Kennedy, travel expert, host of Wellness Activity Breaks, has the lowdown on Madeira. An archipelago of four islands off the northwest cost of Africa, Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal. Famed for it's cooler climate and mountainous terrain, Madeira is becoming more popular with tourists.Sinead has all you need to know from highlights, where to stay, what to eat and drink, when to

Is The Hurling Championship In Crisis?
Last month, Limerick were crowned All-Ireland senior hurling champions for the sixth time since 2018.However, despite their remarkable achievement, fans were largely left disappointed with the season as a whole.Is there a way to level the playing field and help the chasing pack become genuine All-Ireland contenders?Jamesie O’Connor, Seamus Hickey and John McIntyre speak to Will O’Callaghan on The

New Government Jet Requires Maintenance Abroad
The new government jet, Dassault Falcon X6, will need to travel abroad for maintenance this month, but Micheál Martin assures that the jet has been "very effective" and they have "no concerns".Niall O'Connor of The Journal joins The Last Word to give us the full round up on why this jet has been making headlines this week.To listen to the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

The Last Word On The Environment: The Climate Act
The Government could consider further curbs on climate legislation if it is found to be harming infrastructure delivery.John Gibbons, environmental journalist, joins The Last Word to warn of the impact this decision could have on Ireland's climate targets. To listen to the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Tech Thursday: All You Need For The Return To The Classroom
Ahead of the new school year, Andy O'Donoghue is back with a comprehensive rundown of laptops and tablets, both new and refurbed.For secondary school students, Andy also recommends some gadgets to help with concentration and productivity.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on this page.

Culture Club: Jo Spain
Jo Spain, author of 'Never To Be Found', joins The Last Word to discuss her favourite albums, films, and writing habits. To listen to the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Infantino Calls Emergency FIFA Meeting As Support For His Presidency Weakens
Gianni Infantino called an emergency meeting of senior FIFA staff on Wednesday as he fights for survival in the wake of his now abandoned plan to seek private investment in a company to run the World Cup.Gavin Cooney, sports correspondent with the Irish Times, joins The Last Word to discuss whether this is the end of the road for the FIFA President.Catch the full chat by pressing the ‘Play’ button

The Last Word On US: Trump Gives Iran 'Last Chance' On Peace Deal
Speaking at The White House on Monday, Trump told the Iranian leadership they had one "last chance" to sign a "good deal". Marion McKeone, Cal Thomas, and Scott Lucas join The Last Word to discuss the current state of play. To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Should Parents Stop Their Children from Using Smartphones?
Amid the ongoing debate over whether social media should be banned for under 16s, parents have been criticised both for not monitoring their child’s social media but also for giving their young kids smartphones Frank Greaney was joined by Irish Times features journalist and host of the Conversations with Parents podcast Jen Hogan and CEO of the Irish Internet Hotline Mick Moran to discuss&nbs

The Week Trending: Mayo for Sam And Glen Hansard Remembered
Sports writer Kieran Cunningham and Irish Times columnist Roe McDermott join Matt to look back on the biggest stories of the week.The week started with celebrations and joy as Mayo beat Kerry to take home Sam and captured not only the hearts of the country, but gained legions of new fans across the globe.They discuss tourism protests in Spain and why a small Spanish outpost in North Africa has bec

David Baldacci: Why The AI Boom Is Bad For Authors
60 published novels & over 150 million copies sold later; David Baldacci joins The Last Word to tell us about his love for writing, and his concerns over the rise of AI.To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Best Beach Reads For August
Edel Coffey, journalist and author of In Glass Houses runs through the best of the summer reads to get you through August.Her choices are; YesterYear by Caro Claire Burke, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Transcription by Ben Lerner, A Beautiful Loan by Mary Costello, A Plot To Die For by Ardal O'Hanlon and The Keeper by Tana French.To catch the full conversation, press the 'play' button on t

Fish In Irish Waters Move North Due To Climate Change
Climate change is heating Irish seas so quickly that it's forcing fish north and away from our coastlines, thus causing a threat to the industry.Commentator John Gibbons joins The Last Word’s environment slot to discuss the significance of the situation.Hit the ‘Play’ button on this page to hear the piece.

Dr. Bot: How AI Could Save Lives
Doctors are under-resourced and face unprecedented levels of stress. What if AI could step in?Charlotte Blease, researcher and author of Dr. Bot, joins The Last Word to discuss her study on AI and how it could emerge as one of the most reliable physicians in history. To hear the full chat, press 'PLAY' on this page!

Tech Thursday: Latest in Foldable Phones
This week on Tech Thursday Andy O’Donoghue gives us the latest on foldable phones including prices and the best models Hit Play on this page to listen now
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