In the 2005 election, Ryan was successful at retaining his seat. Following the Socialist Left Party's entering government as part of Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet, Ryan was appointed the party's parliamentary leader. He was appointed first vice chair of the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs, a position he held until 24 November 2007, when he again sat on the Standing Committee on Business and Industry. For the full term 2005 to 2009, he was a member of the Election Committee and the Enlarged Committee on Foreign Affairs. He was a delegate to the Nordic Council, and from 2007 a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly.