Only by working together can government, local politicians, and the business community solve the economic problems of Northern Ireland, according to the Northern chairman of the Institute of Directors, Mr Alan McClure. Mr McClure, who was addressing over 400 business leaders and senior civil servants at the institute's annual dinner in the Europa Hotel in Belfast, said that the government had already pledged to create a partnership with the private sector to review economic strategy.

Mr McClure also commented on the leaked Northern Ireland strategy document, in which the Northern Ireland Office had made clear its intention to enlist the help of the local business community in campaigning for a "yes" vote in next month's referendum. He said that the assumption that the various business organisations and the trades unions - a group known as G7 - were automatic champions for a "yes" vote had put the IOD in very difficult position.

"This institute is utterly and unwaveringly apolitical," he said. "In naming individuals and organisations the NIO has effectively tainted any position these people - and their organisations - might take on either side of the argument."