I note that we will be discussing obesity and autism. In that context, I draw attention to the fact that this is Huntington's Disease Awareness Week. Huntington's is a horrid condition that affects people's motor and cognitive ability and behaviour and causes very severe difficulties for family members. The fact that it is an inherited condition is another issue.

Senator Dolan can make his own contribution.

I am very pleased to mention that this Thursday, 18 May, the pontiff will hold an audience for people and their families with Huntington's disease from around the world. Pope Francis has a particular interest in this disease because a lot of people in certain countries in South America are affected by it. The huntingtin gene was identified by a Galway-born doctor Professor Michael Conneally in 1993 in the United States. I wish the folk who are travelling to Rome the very best on Thursday. I should mention that 18 May is also the birthday of John Bruton. I thought that might be useful to know. It was also the date of birth of a former Pope, namely, Pope John Paul II. Huntington's disease is a difficult condition. Many people have the huntingtin gene and a great many people live with the possibility of the condition. When it hits, Huntington's disease has a significant effect on families because it happens at a time when people are in young adulthood. This is an important issue as we look the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD, the budget and things ahead.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak on it.