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NI First Minister Peter Robinson has suspected heart attack NI First Minister Peter Robinson has suspected heart attack
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson has been admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack.Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson has been admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack.
Mr Robinson, 66, was taken to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on Monday morning after he became ill.Mr Robinson, 66, was taken to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on Monday morning after he became ill.
He was then transferred to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) where he is undergoing tests. The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party was then transferred to Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) where he is undergoing tests.
The first minister's hospitalisation comes on the eve of a major debate at Stormont over welfare reform.
A statement from the hospital said: "Mr Robinson underwent a procedure this morning and is currently recovering in the RVH.A statement from the hospital said: "Mr Robinson underwent a procedure this morning and is currently recovering in the RVH.
"He and his family have requested the need for privacy from this point onwards.""He and his family have requested the need for privacy from this point onwards."
Mr Robinson has served as first minister and DUP leader since 2008, succeeding lan Paisley in both jobs.Mr Robinson has served as first minister and DUP leader since 2008, succeeding lan Paisley in both jobs.
The DUP has asked that the Robinson family's privacy should be respected.The DUP has asked that the Robinson family's privacy should be respected.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted his best wishes to Mr Robinson, wishing him a speedy recovery.Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted his best wishes to Mr Robinson, wishing him a speedy recovery.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also sent her best wishes.Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also sent her best wishes.
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: "My understanding is that he took ill during the night and was taken to hospital.DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: "My understanding is that he took ill during the night and was taken to hospital.
"He is undergoing tests. It is very difficult to say at this stage what his current position is."He is undergoing tests. It is very difficult to say at this stage what his current position is.
"Hopefully he will be back soon in his full job and will make a speedy recovery.""Hopefully he will be back soon in his full job and will make a speedy recovery."
BBC Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport
Nobody could have planned for this.
However, talking to people within the DUP earlier today, the sense is that Mr Robinson's medical condition doesn't change what they said was a legally-driven deadline for the welfare reform bill.
It's all tied up with their hopes of getting a budget through Stormont.
It now looks like that welfare reform bill will be vetoed because both the nationalist parties have signed a petition of concern.
But at this stage, the intention is that the Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey, is to still go ahead with that debate.
Other politicians including Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt, SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, TUV leader Jim Allister and Mr Robinson's Stormont colleague Peter Weir have wished Mr Robinson a speedy recovery.Other politicians including Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt, SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, TUV leader Jim Allister and Mr Robinson's Stormont colleague Peter Weir have wished Mr Robinson a speedy recovery.
Mr McGuinness tweeted that he was concerned to hear the news.Mr McGuinness tweeted that he was concerned to hear the news.
"My thoughts and prayers are with him, Iris and family," he said."My thoughts and prayers are with him, Iris and family," he said.
Mr Nesbitt said: "I am sorry to hear that the first minister has been taken into hospital this morning and I wish Peter a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family."Mr Nesbitt said: "I am sorry to hear that the first minister has been taken into hospital this morning and I wish Peter a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family."
Presbyterian Moderator Michael Barry sent "warm wishes" to the first minister and his family in what he said was "a worrying time" for them.Presbyterian Moderator Michael Barry sent "warm wishes" to the first minister and his family in what he said was "a worrying time" for them.
Controversial debateControversial debate
The first minister's hospitalisation comes on the eve of a major debate at Stormont over welfare reform. On Tuesday, the Northern Ireland Assembly is due to debate the controversial issue of welfare reform.
On Friday, Mr Robinson warned that the assembly could not survive the scenario which would unfold if the welfare reform bill was not approved.On Friday, Mr Robinson warned that the assembly could not survive the scenario which would unfold if the welfare reform bill was not approved.
BBC Northern Ireland Political Editor Mark Devenport said it looked as though that debate would still go ahead on Tuesday.
"Nobody could have planned for this, but talking to people within the DUP earlier on today, the sense is that Mr Robinson's medical condition doesn't change what they said was a legally-driven deadline for the welfare reform bill," he said.
"It's all tied up with their hopes of getting a budget through Stormont.
"Even though it now looks like that welfare reform bill will be vetoed because both the nationalist parties have signed a petition of concern, at this stage, the intention is that the Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey, is to still go ahead with that debate."
The Northern Ireland parties had agreed a deal on Westminster's welfare reform in the Stormont House Agreement last December.The Northern Ireland parties had agreed a deal on Westminster's welfare reform in the Stormont House Agreement last December.
However, Sinn Féin withdrew its support for the bill in March.However, Sinn Féin withdrew its support for the bill in March.
Sinn Féin and the SDLP have signed a petition of concern which means the bill will be blocked on Tuesday as it will not get the necessary cross-community support.