The Ulster Unionist Party’s South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey has paid tribute to former NIO Minister Paul Goggins who has died.
Mr McGimpsey said:
"I am extremely sorry to learn of the death of Labour MP Paul Goggins who fell ill last week.
“As a Northern Ireland Office Minister he was Minister for Health and made a major contribution to the lives of virtually every single person in the Province.
“He took a keen and genuine interest in our people, introducing a number of important initiatives including “Protect Life” and the smoking ban.
“I always found him to be a really sincere individual and a politician who was committed to serving all of the people. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife and family. His passing is obviously a sad loss for them but he will also be greatly missed by the House of Commons and politics in the United Kingdom in general.”