Placing our trust in empty seats

■ During the important debate on the Abortion Bill in the Dáil last Friday night, only a sparse scattering of our TDs bothered to be present.

Had the rest gone home to run their pubs, legal firms or other pursuits – or just gone home for the weekend? Did not all those empty seats signify an alarming lack of interest? These are the people who will vote on the bill and in whom we, the Irish people, are placing our trust to legislate for the protection or otherwise of the unborn child should the referendum be passed.

Rosie Cargin Kinsale, Co Cork