The quality of Ireland’s environment is “not what it should be”.

This is according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency.

It also says that the outlook is not optimistic unless policy efforts are ramped up and integrated into a national framework.

For reaction, Kieran was joined on Wednesday's edition of The Hard Shoulder by climatologist at NUI Maynooth, John Sweeney, and Heritage Officer with An Taisce, Ian Lumley.