EDWIN Poots has resumed his role as Stormont agriculture minister just weeks after undergoing cancer surgery.
The DUP assembly member (55) had temporarily stepped aside to facilitate "surgery and recuperation" after he was diagnosed with a cancerous growth on his kidney.
His party colleague Gordon Lyons took on the ministerial role in his absence.
But Mr Poots, an MLA for Lagan Valley, yesterday posted on social media that it was "great to be back at the ministerial desk".
"So thankful to be on the right side of treatment, and to the exceptional staff who administered it," he wrote.
"Plenty of work to be done."
He was joined by First Minister Arlene Foster, assembly speaker Alex Maskey and Mr Lyons as he affirmed the pledge of office to resume his ministerial position.
Mr Lyons now returns to his previous role as junior minister.
