SOME 87 per cent of firms in Northern Ireland believe the breakdown in the IRA ceasefire has made no difference to their businesses, according to the latest survey of the Federation of Small Businesses. A number said this was because there had been no return to the bombing campaign in Northern Ireland.

However, 7 per cent, many of them in the tourism business, said they had been affected and trade had suffered. Over half the companies which took part in the survey remained optimistic that business would increase over the next 12 months. A further 24 per cent thought trade would remain steady.

The federation's regional chairman in Northern Ireland, Mr Bill Jeffrey, said many small businesses seemed to have a built in survival factor" which allowed them to grow in adversity.