Mullen knew the Bill was going to pass, so the tactic was to try to keep talking until the Oireachtas began the summer recess, and therefore hugely delay the Bill. (As he stated on RTÉ Radio 1 earlier in the week, this course of action was certainly on his mind.)

How is it possibly democratic for one man – elected by a particular cohort university graduates – to do that?

It was entirely right to circumvent his filibustering.

Re Quinn it really is bizarre-I wonder is it the first time that someone who supported the Níl then voted against it. By the end of the debate i did wonder had Norris got to him? Strange indeed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the debates in both houses, and have vague plans to write something sociological about them for posterity.

While the criticism of the Seanad has a place, i am not so keen to have a unicameral system of government with those FF keystone cops in power – they need to be watched by the other chamber. I think FG are completely wrong to call for the Seanad’s abolition; reform yes, abolition, no!

In terms of the debate yesterday, while Seal and Lurch et al weren’t going to win, it was important for people to see how toxic and insidious their purile views about ‘morality’ are.These views aren’t solely the purview of the American right like Governor Quitter Palin from Alaska and Glenn Beck – they are right here on our doorstep. They are dressed up as reasonableness, and we should never be lulled into a fake sense of security by their christian values.

Thanks again Suzy for organising this virtual communitas of LGBT folk and our friends. Activism can be fun!