NI business disheartened by decommissioning log-jam

There is growing frustration among the North's business community over the lack of progress on decommissioning by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, senior industry leaders have warned.

Business representatives who met Dr John Reid, the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, at Hillsborough Castle last week say there is no appetite for endless rounds of negotiations on decommissioning.

Key industry bodies - including the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry - are also concerned that the political impasse could seriously undermine the campaign to reposition the North as an investment location.

Although business institutions are strongly supportive of the Northern Ireland Assembly, many senior figures also believe another suspension of the executive may now be unavoidable.

Mr Eric Bell, chairman of the Institute of Directors in the North, said: "There is a level of impatience among the business community about the lack of movement on decommissioning.

"Many would prefer that this issue is sorted out once and for all and if that requires a suspension of the Assembly to facilitate it, then that might be the best solution to get things moving forward again."

The Ulster Unionist Party's decision to vacate three executive offices including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment on Thursday night has cast new doubt on the future state of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Mr David Trimble, the party leader, has seven days to decide their next move - otherwise the Assembly will technically collapse and the UK Government must either agree to a further suspension or set the scene for new elections.

The Institute of Directors is extremely worried that the political uncertainty will push economic issues to the bottom of the agenda.

It is concerned that decisions such as the appointment of a chief executive for the economic development body in the North, Invest Northern Ireland, could be affected by the current political stalemate.

"We do not want the economy to suffer because there is no progress on decommissioning. We have to keep our focus on the economy."

Mr Bell said: "This will impact on the economy no matter what, but we do not want to see important economic decisions and issues being put off because of a lack of political progress."