Northern Ireland's political parties are deeply split on the euro and have not addressed the single-currency issue - a major concern for the North's business community - in their election manifestos.

Political and social issues top the agendas of the North's mainstream parties', with the economy playing a supporting role in the 2001 local election campaigns.

But a confidential poll just carried out among senior business directors by one of the North's largest business organisations showed that half of those questioned were in favour of joining the euro.

Although the political parties will be keen to win the business community's support in the upcoming local elections, their economic manifestos are aimed at the general rather than the specific.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has no fiscal powers; it cannot raise taxes. Therefore, there are no exaggerated claims from the North's various political players promising to lower taxes or to create a more favourable business climate. While the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates are earnestly trying to woo the influential business vote in Britain, the approach of political parties in the North is to appeal to the individual.

But there is a common theme to the economic manifestos promoted by the various political parties represented in the Northern Ireland Assembly - votes equal jobs.

According to the Ulster Unionist Party, which currently has the largest number of seats (28) in the Assembly, constitutional stability is underpinning the North's "new found prosperity".

"Northern Ireland has chalked up impressive results in jobs. . . the Ulster Unionist Party is committed to the development of the maximum range of social, economic and cultural lifestyle opportunities," it states in its economic manifesto.

An Ulster Unionist Party spokesman said it has no definitive policy on the euro and will be debating the issue further.

The SDLP, the second-largest party in the Assembly with 24 seats, emerges as the North's strongest supporter of the euro. The SDLP's economic policy states that the "creation of a viable and productive economy in Northern Ireland must be a primary aim of politics". The party is also very supportive of the "need for cross-border economic co-operation and partnerships".

The Democratic Ulster Party, which holds 20 seats in the Assembly, is one of the North's most anti-euro parties. Its economic manifesto states that it "will put Northern Ireland first in creating jobs".

"Our priority is to rebuild and invest in your future. Fair and full employment is our goal," the party states.

Sinn Fein, with 18 seats, is the fourth-largest party in the Assembly. Its manifesto says the party wants to provide "sustainable dignified livelihoods" for the people of Northern Ireland.

"Sinn Fein supports the development of economic, social and cultural resources that will fulfill the needs and aspirations of the people of Ireland."

Meanwhile, Alliance, one of the smaller parties represented in the Assembly with six seats, believes a successful economy and prosperity are essential to creating a non-sectarian society and giving people a stake in the peace process.

The Alliance vision is "a high-growth, high-tech, dynamic and sustainable Northern Ireland business economy integrated into the European and global economy".

The party supports entry into the euro at the earliest opportunity.

The Northern Ireland Unionist Party does not have a clearly defined economic strategy. The United Unionist Party also has no strict policy on the euro but, according to a party spokesman, is not generally proEuropean.

The party's economic manifesto is strongly community-orientated. It believes in attracting investment to support the development of the Northern Ireland economy and creating strong links between education and enterprise that will help create additional employment.

The Northern Ireland Women's Coalition believes that economic policy cannot be treated as a "standalone" issue.

It believes the North must maximise its tremendous potential as a region and develop the potential for greater cross-border co-operation.

Northern Ireland must also make greater user of its reputation in the area of textiles and marine technology, the party states.

The Ulster Democratic Party, the last remaining party that holds a seat in the Assembly, believes economic development will help "close the communal gap between nationalists and unionists".

The Ulster Democratic Party's strong socialist stance argues that high unemployment and poverty must be tackled. It supports the creation of quality jobs, improving education standards in inner-city areas and policies aimed at attracting inward investors.