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Robinson Stable After Suspected Heart Attack

Robinson Stable After Suspected Heart Attack

A temporary first minister will not be appointed in Northern Ireland while Peter Robinson recovers from a suspected heart attack, a senior colleague has insisted.

Even though a political crisis is developing over welfare reform, the DUP's deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, has said it is "business as usual" in Stormont – adding his party had a "very, very strong team" to negotiate over disagreements with Sinn Fein.

Mr Robinson, 66, is currently in a stable condition following surgery at the specialist cardiac unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

The Democratic Unionists have been pushing to introduce the welfare policies which have been implemented by the Conservatives on the UK mainland, warning that failure to do so could leave a £600m funding gap.

However, Sinn Fein does not back this part of the Stormont House Agreement, and believes vulnerable benefits claimants could lose out under the new system.

Even though the power-sharing government in Belfast has become badly split, Mr Dodds said: "We have not taken any decision yet in relation to putting in an acting first minister.

"Hopefully, Peter will be able to return very, very soon. We will continue to resolutely put forward our view.

"People know where we stand – that is why we have not abandoned today's proceedings in the Assembly."

During the debate on welfare changes, Mr Robinson's colleague, Mervyn Storey, said: "I firmly believe that the time for talking is now over.

"I believe that now is the time for decisions, for getting on with the implementation of reforms.

"Unfortunately the fiscal reality for Northern Ireland is that we cannot afford a more expansive and expensive welfare system than the rest of the UK.

"If we spend more on benefits, the harsh reality is that we have less to spend on schools, on hospitals and all other public services that rely on it."

According to Sky News Ireland Correspondent David Blevins, Mr Robinson has had a "punishing schedule" over the last few weeks.

The father-of-three's political rivals – including David Cameron, Mike Nesbitt and Gerry Adams – all tweeted their best wishes after he was taken to hospital on Monday morning.

His party has had a turbulent few months.

In April, health minister Jim Wells resigned after claiming the children of gay couples were more likely to be abused.

The DUP then fought a tough battle to regain the Belfast East seat in the election, the seat Mr Robinson lost in 2010 in the wake of a scandal involving his wife.