Peter Robinson, leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist political party, has been admitted to the Royal Victoria hospital (RVH) in Belfast as a precautionary measure.
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The North’s former First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson has been discharged from hospital tonight.
A spokesperson for the health trust said he was admitted as a precaution and was “comfortable and doing well”.
Writing on Twitter, Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness said: ‘Concerned that Peter Robinson admitted to hospital but pleased that he is comfortable & doing well.
In May, Mr Robinson was hospitalised for a number of days after suffering a suspected heart attack.
At the time, he insisted his illness had been exacerbated by a lack of exercise and a reliance on fast food, rather than the stresses of his job.
Mr Robinson stepped aside as first minister in early September after the Ulster Unionist quit the Assembly and the Democratic Unionists pulled four of their five ministers out of the administration.
Mr Robinson has been under considerable pressure in recent months as he has sought to deal with the political crisis caused by the police assessment that the IRA still exists and that some of its members were involved in the murder last month of Belfast republican Kevin McGuigan although acting without the authority of the IRA leadership.
Arlene Foster replaced Mr Robinson as first minister on a temporary basis.
A party spokesman added: “The DUP leader will be at Stormont on Monday morning, where he will meet party colleagues regarding the talks”.
“Peter Robinson did say in August that his heart attack had been a timely reminder that he can’t go on forever”.
Political rivals had expressed concern and wished him a speedy recovery. “I hope it is not serious and he will be back on his feet as soon as possible”.
Mr Robinson had demanded security commitments from Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers before he would enter talks. That same spirit needs to be brought into these talks.
On Friday, Mrs Villiers’ proposal for an independent examination of the role, structure and objective of paramilitaries was accepted by the DUP and UUP, who committed to turning up at the negotiating table.
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The Northern Irish administration has also been unable to agree on key welfare reforms, prompting the United Kingdom government to threaten to legislate from Westminster.
