Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots is recovering in hospital following emergency surgery on Sunday (December 6).
A DUP spokesman said: “Mr. Edwin Poots was admitted to hospital on Sunday afternoon. He is receiving treatment for a perforated appendix and is now making a good recovery after theatre.
“Ministerial colleagues will take care of any immediate DAERA business in the Northern Ireland Assembly.”
Poots has held the role of Agriculture Minister since Northern Ireland’s Executive was reinstated in January. His recent successes have included launching the region’s first-ever Clean Air Strategy.
Minister Poots’ session will now be covered by party colleague Diane Dodds, Minister for the Economy.
Dodds told the Assembly: “I was speaking to him this morning. He had had his toast and porridge and was in very good form and looking forward to getting out of hospital.
“Obviously, he has had quite a traumatic period over the weekend so we will do our best to answer your questions as they arise.”
A spokesperson for DAERA declined to comment.