Conflicting views on European Monetary Union emerged as two more candidates in the North's European election presented their manifestos.
The Alliance party leader, Mr Sean Neeson, advocated the swift entry of sterling into the common currency, while Mr Bob McCartney, of the anti-agreement UK Unionist Party, said the loss of sterling would mean relinquishing independence.
Speaking in Belfast, Mr Neeson said his party wished to fight the election on European issues. Alliance was attempting to contribute to the wider debate over the future of the EU and wanted to educate the electorate of Northern Ireland as to the importance of the EU to its quality of life.
He stressed that by not adopting the European single currency at an early stage, Northern Ireland would be at a "serious disadvantage". The Alliance leader said there was already evidence that businesses were suffering because sterling had opted out.
Mr McCartney pledged to protect sterling, to maintain the UK as a sovereign independent state and to serve the best interests of the people of the North in Europe at the launch of his manifesto at Parliament Buildings yesterday.
Joining EMU would result in a loss of control over the economy and government, according to Mr McCartney. "Since its launch, the euro has progressively weakened and shown the greatest divergence. We must keep the pound."