Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey steps aside on health grounds
- Published
Ms Hargey has been communities minster since Stormont was restored in January
Stormont's Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has temporarily stepped down from her executive role on health grounds.
The Sinn Féin minister 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 Nà ChuilÃn.
Ms Hargey, a former Lord Mayor of Belfast, was appointed to the executive in January of this year.
Both First Minster Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill have been notified.
"I look forward to being able to resume ministerial responsibilities in a number of weeks following my treatment and recovery," Ms Hargey said.
Ms O'Neill wished her ministerial and party colleague "a full and speedy recovery".
She said her temporary replacement, Ms NÃ ChuilÃn, would bring "a wealth of experience, determination and dedication to the post".
- Published19 January 2020
