The Stormont Assembly is to debate a motion urging the British government to give dual currency status to the euro in Northern Ireland, it was announced today.
The motion was tabled by Ms Jane Morrice, a member of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition and a former head of the European Commission Office in Belfast.
Ms Morrice argued Northern Ireland was a special case in the UK as it shared a land border with a member state due to introduce the euro in January.
She said that if the motion went through next Tuesday, it would be difficult for Tony Blair to ignore the wishes of the Northern Ireland people.
With large companies already preparing for the impact of the single currency, Ms Morrice said smaller businesses in Northern Ireland would not be able to compete with companies in the Irish Republic.
The benefits to Northern Ireland opening its doors to the euro would be endless, she said.
"For example, we are in the business of marketing the whole of Ireland as a tourism package. How can we get tourists to come over the border if they need to change currency?" she asked.
"The farming community too is very interested in the single currency as their exports are being badly hit by the strength of sterling. This idea would help them to export within the euro system".
PA