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.
The minister was due to take questions in Minister’s Questions this afternoon alongside the Minister for Communities, Carál Ní Chuilín.
Reports suggest his session will now be covered by party colleague Diane Dodds.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs declined to comment.
