First Minister Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein has announced that Economy Minister Conor Murphy will be stepping down from his role on medical grounds. In a statement, O’Neill confirmed that Murphy’s doctor has advised him to take a break from his duties and he will be temporarily replaced until he is well enough to return. She expressed well wishes for Murphy’s speedy recovery and announced that former Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey will be filling in for him.
According to O’Neill, Murphy had previously informed the Covid-19 Inquiry that he would not be able to attend a scheduled appearance due to health concerns. He was scheduled to appear before the inquiry on Tuesday but will not be able to do so.
In the meantime, Hargey has been nominated as Economy Minister and will take over Murphy’s duties until he is able to return. O’Neill expressed her gratitude towards Hargey for agreeing to step in and help out during this difficult time.
The First Minister also added that she and her colleagues are hoping for Murphy’s full recovery and wish him all the best during his time away from work. She thanked the public for their understanding and support during this time and urged them to continue following the guidelines set by public health officials to prevent further spread of the virus.