Election Debate: The Cost Of Insurance

This week's Culture Club inductee is Shane Hegarty, one of the country's most successful children's authors. His new book, The Creaky Creatures, is the third story about Boot, a small robot which constantly finds itself on big adventures. Shane joined Matt to talk about his favourite books, TV shows, music and podcasts. Favourite Book: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Favourite Author: Roald Dahl Favourite TV Shows: Fleabag, Star Trek: The Next Generation First Single Ever Bought: The Stone Roses - Fool's Gold Favourite Band: Radiohead Best Gig: Bruce Springsteen (17 times) Favourite Album: The Gloaming - The Gloaming Favourite Podcast: Second Captains [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2020/09/30182605/LW-CC-Shane.mp3"][/audio]

Catch The Last Word on Business weeknights from 6pm on Today FM, with Capital Flow. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2020/09/30190022/LW-Business-30-September.mp3"][/audio]

Last night's presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden descended into a slanging match, with moderator Chris Wallace struggling to control the situation. Trump was criticised for repeatedly interrupting Biden, who at one point told the president to "shut up". There were also further controversial comments from Trump. When asked to condemn white supremacist groups, he responded with, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by" before adding, "But I'll tell you what: Somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left." Cal Thomas and Marion McKeone joined us to look back on all that went on. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2020/09/30180257/LW-US-Debate.mp3"][/audio]  

Around 6,500 Leaving Cert students have been affected by errors found in the calculated grades system. As a result of the technical issues identified by the Department of Education, these students will now receive an improved grade. Minister for Education Norma Foley said that no student would lose their college place. Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Education, told The Last Word that the errors "shouldn't have happened", but will be rectified. We were also joined by Peter Kearns, Director of the Institute of Education, and Arthur Godsil, former headmaster of St Andrew's College and director of Godsil Education. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2020/09/30173657/LW-Leaving-Cert1.mp3"][/audio]

Electricity bills are set to rise by almost €90 a year for more than a million households. This is due to an increase of 130% in the PSO levy as well as price rises at the country's biggest supplier, Electric Ireland, and PrepayPower. Charlie Weston, personal finance editor of the Irish Independent, joined us to talk about how this will impact people who are working from home. He also discussed the new plan to cap damages for pain and suffering in personal injury cases. [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2020/09/30172341/LW-Electricity-Bill.mp3"][/audio]