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.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Down In Lockdown
Emissions dropped by 3.6% in 2020 alone which includes a 15.7% decrease in transport emissions. With people working from home, residential emissions went up by 9% through using fossil fuels for heating. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/22190313/2210Eco.mp3"][/audio] John Gibbons, environmental commentator and Stephen Treacy- Senior Scientific Officer, Emissions Statistics Team, EPA joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
GardaĂ: Does The Force Need A Clean Up?
This week a serving member of the GardaĂ was sent to prison for a three-month sentence. The conviction was for viciously assaulting his ex-partner in 2018 leaving the victim with broken fingers and severe bruising. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/22184554/2210Garda.mp3"][/audio] Conor Gallagher - Irish Times Crime Correspondent and Sarah Benson - CEO, Womens Aid joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Alec Baldwin "Heartbroken" Following The Fatal Shooting Of A Woman While Filming On Set
A woman has died after actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on a New Mexico film set. The movie's director of photography Halyna Hutchins has been named as the woman who was shot. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/22183207/2210Alec.mp3"][/audio] Marian McKeown- US correspondent with the Business Post joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Durham University Blasted Over 'Don't Get Spiked' Tweet Warning Students
The University has come under sharp criticism for writing on Twitter to students 'Don't get Spiked'. The post, since deleted, read: 'Drink Spiking is dangerous and something that you can prevent'. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/22181226/2210Trend.mp3"][/audio] Jeremy Dixon, Co-host of Opinions Matter Podcast and Alexandra Ryan, Founder of Goss.ie joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Irish Company Grant Thornton To Create 1,000 New Jobs Over The Next Three Years
The Irish auditing and accounting firm has more than doubled in size since the financial crisis. It's not just tax and auditing the company is doing well, they also do corporate finance and are involved in the insurance advisory business. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/21190655/2110Biz.mp3"][/audio] Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
What Are Kids Learning About Climate Change At School?
The Oxford Dictionary has added words such as eco-anxiety, net-zero and climate crisis to its books. Primary school Geography curriculums in Ireland have no overseeing body checking the veracity of the science and are published by private companies. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/21184800/2110Eco.mp3"][/audio] John Gibbons, environmental commentator joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
What Lies Ahead For The Winter Covid Plan?
A meeting has reconvened today on hospitality guidelines for nightclubs, pubs, live events. The Taoiseach told his party last night that guidance would be practical and common sense will apply. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/21183538/2110Covid.mp3"][/audio] Priscilla Lynch, Clinical Editor, Medical Independent, Darragh O’Loughlin, General-Secretary, Irish Pharmacies Union and Shane Dunne, Event producer and promoter joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
The Last Word On Health: Sore Stomachs For Children
Much of stomach pain in children depends on the child's ability to communicate where the pain is. If your child exhibits vomiting, begins to lose weight or reports acute pain these are red flags. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/21182012/2110Belly.mp3"][/audio] Dr Brian Higgins, GP at Galway Primary Care joined the Last Word on Health to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Culture Club: Martin Hayes
This week's Culture Club inductee is Fiddler and a member of The Gloaming. Favourite Album The Liffey Banks by Tommy Potts Favourite Band/Artist Radiohead - Karma Police Best Gig Rory Gallagher in Chicago venue Favourite Movie The Big Lebowski Favourite TV Show Seinfeld Favourite Podcast The Daily - New York Times Podcast Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Fewer Than One In Four Hurlers Removed From Play After Suspected Concussion
A study has found that an ''unacceptably high'' amount of hurlers have sustained concussions. The study was conducted by UCC School of Medicine and found that many players were allowed to play on after sustaining concussions. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/20184929/2010Hurl.mp3"][/audio] Mark Ganly - CEO of N-Pro Headgear and Jamesie O’Connor - Former Clare Hurler joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
The Dangers Of Getting Involved In Buy Now Pay Later Deals
Buy Now Pay Later online is an agreement between consumer and third party and not with the retailer. This type of payment scheme has exploded in popularity with millennials and women in particular. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/20182427/2010West.mp3"][/audio] Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor with the Independent joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Are The Proposed New 25KPH Speed Limits On E-Scooters Too High?
The government has approved a new road traffic bill that legislates for the use of E-Scooters. Up until this point E-Scooters and E-Bikes have been technically illegal to use on our roads. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/20181158/2010Scooter.mp3"][/audio] Michael Sheridan, Motoring Journalist and Gary Kearney, Disability Activist joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
How A Teenager Who Spent Six Years In An Orphanage Became One Of Our Most Accomplished Emergency Surgeons
A life in Trauma is a book about Dr Chris Luke's tumultuous life and traumas in a compelling read. He spent six to seven years in the Orphanage in Stillorgan while his mother worked full time. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/19191833/1910Chris.mp3"][/audio] Chris Luke, author of A Life In Trauma joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Insurance Costs Soar 15 Per Cent Despite Drop-In Payouts
Liability insurance premiums have increased by 15% since the 24th of April this year. In an area that is highly competitive, motor insurance premiums are down by about 10%. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/19184652/1910Cars.mp3"][/audio] Peter Boland, director of the Alliance for Insurance Reform joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Reaction To Government Announcement On Covid Restrictions
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed today the easing of restrictions will see nightclubs reopen. This is contingent on venues enforcing the use of vaccine certs and mask-wearing in certain situations. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/19183002/1910Covid.mp3"][/audio] Niall Collins, minister of state for Skills and Further Education, Padraig Cribben, ceo Vintners Federation of Ireland, Roisin Shortall, co-leader Social Democrats, Liam Fanning, Professor of Immunovirology, UCC, Denis McCauley, Donegal GP and Chairman of the GP committee of the Irish Medical Organisation and Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Enterprise, Trade and Employment joined the Last...
Facebook Announces 10,000 New Jobs In The EU But Doesn't Specify Which Country
Facebook has announced 10,000 high paying software engineering jobs over the next few years. The company has received criticism of late for its marketing of its subsidiary instagram to teenagers. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/18191738/1810Biz.mp3"][/audio] Ian Guider, columnist with the Business Post joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Massive Week For New TV and Streaming Releases
Tonight is the season premiere of season three of the megahit HBO Special 'Succession'. This season of the show is an all-out civil war within and outside the family and promises to be explosive. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/18190423/1810TV.mp3"][/audio] Film and TV experts Joe O’Shea and Jennifer Gannon join the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
The Stories Behind The Nearly 350 Pubs That Closed During The Pandemic
The LVA stated publicans are comfortable with the idea of Covid certs upon entry going forward. The industry body is calling for no masks on the premises and customers to be allowed order at the bar. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/18184252/1810Pubs.mp3"][/audio] Donal O’Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Nama-Owned Apartments Have Been Unoccupied For A Decade
There are 54 NAMA-owned apartments in Finglas that have never been used since completion. Some of these apartments are said to be currently in use for below market rent at €1,200 per month. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/18182038/1810NAMA.mp3"][/audio] Killian Woods, journalist with the Business Post and Rebecca Moynihan, Labour Party housing spokesperson joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
How The Pandemic Changed How We Viewed Food
During the Pandemic the ability to go to a restaurant or local food spot was sadly taken away from us. Shortages in staffing in the hospitality sector have been attributed to the PUP and foreign staff returning to their home country. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/15191529/1510Chef.mp3"][/audio] Michelin Starred Chef JP McMahon joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Tory MP Sir David Amess Murdered In Knife Attack While Meeting Constituents
Police have stated that “it will be for investigators to determine whether this is a terrorist incident”. Sir David Amess had been a Member of Parliament since 1983 and was married with 5 children. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/15190255/1510Amess.mp3"][/audio] Nick Ferrari - Presenter - Nick Ferrari at Breakfast - LBC joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Could Extending The Use Of Covid Certs Be Considered Prejudicial?
The Government are suddenly getting very nervous about fully reopening on the 22nd of October. The Irish Council of Civil Liberties is concerned with the increasing demonisation of the non-vaccinated. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/15184747/1510Covid.mp3"][/audio] Liam Herrick - Executive Director, Irish Council of Civil Liberties joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Nigel Farage Paid €86 For ''Ra-Gate'' Birthday Greeting
Nigel Farage is on an app called Cameo where celebrities record a personalised message for money. The message was for so-called ''Brexiteer'' Brian and went viral this week much to Farage's chagrin. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/15182910/1510Trending.mp3"][/audio] Donal O’Donoghue- Managing Director, Sanderson Recruitment and Sinead O’Carroll - Editor, The Journal.ie join the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
What Does The Kunming Declaration On Biodiversity Mean For Irish People?
The UN's Conference of the Parties 15 (COP15) took place this week in Kunming in China. This conference tracks Biological Diversity, which encompasses all the living creatures on the planet. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/14190747/1410Eco.mp3"][/audio] John Gibbons, environmental commentator joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Sorry For Your Trouble: Death The Irish Way
Sorry For Your Trouble is a new book by Anne Marie Hourihane looking at the Irish way of death. The refrain is said to the bereaved at Irish funerals typically and is a catch-all phrase for displaying sympathy. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/14184713/1410Death.mp3"][/audio] Anne Marie Hourihane, author and journalist joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Rising Hospitalisations Cast Doubt Over Next Week’s Reopening Plans
Ireland has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe but despite this cases continue to rise. This upward trend in covid figures has been attributed to increased social-mixing by experts. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/14182623/1410CovidCases.mp3"][/audio] Liam Fanning, Professor of Immuno - Virology, UCC and Sunil Sharpe, DJ & Give Us the Night Campaigner joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis And Why Is It So Tricky To Treat?
Plantar Fasciitis is a very common foot ailment affecting one in ten people in Ireland. It is when the Plantar Fascia ligament becomes strained due to overuse and can cause extreme pain. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/14181221/1410Foot.mp3"][/audio] Dr Brian Higgins, GP at Galway Primary Care joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Culture Club: Roddy Doyle
This week's Culture Club inductee Irish Writer and Author of Life Without Children Roddy Doyle. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/13193647/1310Roddy.mp3"][/audio] First Single Marquee Moon – Television (1977) Favourite Album Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – from Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited Favourite Band/Artist Talking Heads Best Gig Linton Kwezi Johnson live in Paris 2004 Favourite Movie Amarcord (Fellini) Favourite Book/Author Charles Dickens – Great Expectations Favourite TV Show The Wire Favourite Podcast The Northern Bank Job Favourite Play Studs – Paul Mercier Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Pressure Grows On Owen Keegan To Apologise Or Resign Over Letter To UCD Students
The UCD Student's Union have said still have not received a direct apology from Owen Keegan. The Student's Union were querying housing that was converted to tourist accommodation recently. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/13191248/1310UCD.mp3"][/audio] Ruairi Power, president of UCD students union and Cllr Cat O’Driscoll, Social Democrat member of Dublin City council joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Dominic Cummings Says The UK Plan Was Always To Ditch The Northern Ireland Protocol
In a number of tweets, Cummings said the Brexit deal was a way to get out of the electoral purgatory. These comments landed in Dublin with Leo Varadkar saying ''if true they are highly alarming''. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/13184912/1310Brexit.mp3"][/audio] Shona Murray - Europe Correspondent, Euronews, Neale Richmond - Fine Gael TD & spokesperson on European Affairs and Nick Ferrari - Presenter of Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, LBC Radio joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Sexual Assault Continues To Be A Problem In The Irish Defence Forces
Former Army Captain Tom Clonan exposed sexual abuse in the Defence Forces 21 years ago. In conducting research he interviewed 60 women in the Defence Forces of which 59 reported some form of explicit discrimination. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/13182950/1310Army.mp3"][/audio] Tom Clonan, subject of a TG4 documentary tonight joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Streaming Boom Causing Spiralling Data Costs - Who Will Pay?
Streaming puts an incredible strain on the internet and broadband capability of a household. Netflix is currently being sued in South Korea by a broadband company looking for them to pay the energy costs. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/12191431/1210Tech.mp3"][/audio] Andy O’Donoghue, Technology Journalist joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Does The Budget Tackle 'Cost Of Living'?
Opposition TDs are calling for a month's rent to be paid back into renters pockets as part of the budget. There was strong criticism from Sinn FĂ©in that there is no discretionary fund for fuel allowance. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/12185931/1210Opposition.mp3"][/audio] Mairead Farrell, Sinn Fein TD, spokesperson for Public Expenditure and Adrian Cummins, CEO Restaurants Association of Ireland joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Minister For Finance Paschal Donohoe: €1 Billion Of New Spending In 'Something For Everyone' Budget
In the climate change section of the budget, carbon tax will increase from €7.50 to €41 per tonne. Under Health, Funding of €500 million for Covid measures such as testing/tracing was announced. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/12184955/1210Paschal.mp3"][/audio] Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Budget 2022: What Does It Mean For You?
The Government has published its Budget today announcing a spending package of €4.7 billion. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is to remain in place until the end of February. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/12182420/1210Budget.mp3"][/audio] Ian Guider, Markets Editor with the Business Post and Norah Collendar, Professional Tax Leader at Chartered Accountants Ireland joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Peter Schmeichel: My Father’s Double Life As A Spy
Schmeichel revealed his father was a Polish emigrant to Denmark who was in fact a double agent. His father was a pianist in Poland but was pressured into becoming a spy by the regime at the time. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/11192036/1110Peter.mp3"][/audio] Peter Schmeichel, former Manchester Utd and Denmark goalkeeper. The author of One joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Peter Schmeichel: My Father’s Double Life As A British Spy
Schmeichel revealed his father was a Polish emigrant to Denmark who was in fact a double agent. His father was a pianist in Poland but was pressured into becoming a spy by the regime at the time. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/11192036/1110Peter.mp3"][/audio] Peter Schmeichel, former Manchester Utd and Denmark goalkeeper. The author of One joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Can Exhausted Doctors, Nurses And Consultants Cope With The Winter Rush?
1,358 additional cases of Covid-19 were confirmed today with reports that hospital staff are exhausted. 400 patients are in hospital with Covid-19 and 75 of them are in intensive care. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/11183355/1110Winter.mp3"][/audio] David Hughes, deputy general secretary INMO and Prof Cliona Ni Cheallaigh: Consultant in Infectious Diseases, St James Hospital joined the Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Gardai Launch New Search For Deirdre Jacob And Other Missing Women
Gardai began a forensic search today in the 20-year unsolved disappearance of Deirdre Jacob. Deirdre Jacob was last seen on 28 July 1998 near her home in Newbridge, Co Kildare. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/11182533/1110Crime.mp3"][/audio] Michael Doyle, reporter with the Irish Sun joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the Play button on this page.
Trump, Tech And Taking Over: How Peter Thiel Became One Of Silicon Valley's Most Controversial Billionaires
Many will know Peter Thiel as the billionaire founder of Paypal. In the first biography of Thiel, Max Chafkin tracks the life of one of Silicone Valley's most mysterious venture capitalists. The Contrarian dives into Thiel's ties with and his backing of far-right political candidates, including Donald Trump for president. Max Chafkin joined The Last Word to discuss. Catch the full chat by pressing the play button on this page. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2021/10/11155808/071021-LW-Max-Chafkin.mp3"][/audio]
