Stormont minister steps down on health grounds but aims to return within weeks

Q Radio News

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has temporarily stepped down from the Stormont Executive on health grounds.

The Sinn Fein MLA said she was to have surgery in the coming days and was hopeful of being back at her desk within weeks.

She is being replaced by former culture minister Carál Ní Chuilín. 

She said: "I have informed Joint Head of Government Michelle O'Neill and my party president Mary Lou McDonald that I will be stepping aside from my role as Minister for Communities temporarily for health reasons.

"Due to illness I have been admitted to hospital, and am to undergo surgery in the coming days, which will require time to properly recover.

"In light of these exceptional personal circumstances I am unable in the short term to discharge my ministerial duties, or participate fully in the Executive Committee."

She said she has written to the joint heads of the Stormont Executive Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster to inform them of her decision to stand aside from her ministerial post.

@DeirdreHargey has temporarily stepped down as @CommunitiesNI minister on health grounds @sinnfeinireland MLA is to have surgery in the coming days & hopes to return within weeks

She's being replaced by former culture minister @CaralNiChuilin

We'll have reaction on air am pic.twitter.com/O0z10WZeAn

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 14, 2020

Ms O'Neill paid tribute to Ms Hargey on Twitter and wished her a speedy recovery.

She said: "I want to wish my friend and colleague Deirdre Hargey a full and speedy recovery. I look forward to her returning to her post as soon as possible."

She said her temporary replacement, Ms Ní Chuilín, would bring "a wealth of experience, determination and dedication to the post".

There was also news today that the Assembly's deputy speaker, Christopher Stalford, will be temporarily absent from Stormont business as he is having an operation to remove gallstones.

The news of his absence was announced at the Economy Committee this morning.