Ahead of the National Ploughing Championships getting underway in Laois, Katie Hannon was joined live by a studio audience and guest panelists to discuss nitrate derogation and Ireland's water quality.
Contributors from the audience included farmers who said any reduction to nitrate derogation would make their farm business unviable while one fisherman described the damage run off from agricultural activity has done to our waterways.
In part two, Katie Hannon spoke to Stephen Morrison about his son Harvey who suffers from scoliosis.
Mr Morrison was speaking in light of the news that an external review had been ordered into aspects of orthopaedic care at Temple Street Hospital where Harvey has been a regular patient.
"I have to watch my son go through horrific pain every single day," Mr Morrison said of his son Harvey who has been waiting to undergo surgery for seven years.
Watch: Stephen Morrison tells Upfront with Katie Hannon about his son Harvey
The show also considered whether we as a society are doing enough to curb climate change and asked our panelists and audience members if they have considered reducing their red meat intake.
Watch: Upfront with Katie Hannon on the RTÉ Player
The panel guests:
Fine Gael Minister of State Martin Heydon
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore
John Gibbons, environmental journalist
Brian Rushe, Deputy President of the Irish Farmers' Association
