I join Senator Ivana Bacik in expressing my sadness at the DUP's use of an undemocratic mechanism to sabotage the vote in the Assembly. However, I prefer to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. For the first time, the Northern Assembly has, by democratic vote, stood in favour of equal marriage. That is a great thing. It seems there has been some softening of views on this issue.

I saw an interview with Mr. Ian Paisley Jr. in which he spoke positively about decriminalisation and so on and so forth, but it is a little ironic that this was stopped by a combination of the Roman Catholic hierarchy and the DUP - strange bedfellows indeed.

I have been asked by Maynooth Students Union to draw attention of the House to a sad event relating to a young campaigner called Dean McCarron who was a strong fighter during the Yes Equality campaign. He was the head of Pride, the gay organisation, in Maynooth. He was energetic and fun. The Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, put out a message on social media expressing his sadness at this young man's passing. He was in San Francisco for a family wedding and he died rather suddenly and unexpectedly. Maynooth Students Union issued a statement saying:

MSU cannot find the words to express our regret at the loss of one of our stellar former students ... Dean was also a key student campaigner in the recent marriage equality referendum, and on so many student and community issues before that. He wanted to make the world around him a better place.

This is the kind of young person, regardless of sexual orientation, that this county needs, and I greatly regret his passing.

I offer congratulations to a few people. I would like to congratulate Clarke railway station in Dundalk on winning the overall award for best train station in Ireland. Voting was conducted through an online poll and in railway stations. Customers were asked to rate their station under the criteria of customer co-operation and information, station appearance, staff helpfulness, hanging baskets, absence of litter, flowers, etc. The Iarnród Éireann awards reward excellence in customer facilities, cleanliness, innovation and customer service in the country's 144 railway stations. It was a major achievement for the manager of Dundalk station, Mr. Anthony Monaghan, and, as he says himself, "his brilliant staff". I would like to acknowledge the contribution his predecessor made over many years. Mr. Brendan McQuaid's contribution was enormous and the staff under him were active in promoting the station for at least 20 years. The award is just rewards.

My colleague, Senator Jim D'Arcy, mentioned Chief Superintendent Pat Magee from the Louth-Meath division, who is retiring this week. I would like to acknowledge his contribution to law and order. He started off as sergeant in my home town of Carlingford and he made a major contribution during the Troubles. I wish him, his wife Concepta, and his family many happy years of retirement.