Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a contribution on the Social Welfare Consolidation Bill 2005. I did not expect to be entering the debate so soon on such an important Bill. It is an affront and totally unacceptable that Fianna Fáil and Government backbenchers are not present in the Chamber, with the exception of Deputy Charlie O'Connor, who made a contribution. Is he speaking for all the backbenchers? It is a further indication of the lack of interest in needy people that those backbenchers have not got the guts to come in to this House and speak on the Bill.

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