Political stability in Northern Ireland remains the biggest issue for local businesses 17 years after the Good Friday Agreement was first signed according to a new report published on Friday which reflects the views of more than 1,000 firms which employ 100,000 people.

The report by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows political stability and a willingness by the North’s Executive to work together are the two vital requirements identified by the business community for economic growth.

It comes as the North's Executive remains logged in a dispute over welfare reform and as First Minister Peter Robinson has again warned this week that the ever fragile Assembly could be in jeopardy if a deal cannot be reached by all political parties.

A new welfare reform bill is scheduled to come before the Assembly next week.

Against this backdrop the Chamber in Belfast unveiled what it described as a new action plan to get the North’s economy back on its feet.

According to Kevin Kingston, President of NI Chamber, its "Growing Something Brilliant Plan" includes almost 40 recommendations across five priority areas to help achieve growth and prosperity.

Mr Kingston said: “The importance of political stability and a Northern Ireland Executive pulling together on the economy cannot be underestimated.

“Political stability is a key facilitator of economic growth and Northern Ireland is already lagging behind the other UK regions in terms of a recovery.

The Chamber’s plan identifies five key areas which it believes the North’s Executive should focus on to help the local economy gain traction.

These include; growing global trade potential, supporting long-term business investment and developing the talents and ambitions of local people, particularly younger generations.

The chamber also identifies driving down business costs and taxes and rebuilding Northern Ireland’s business infrastructure as key priorities in 2015.

Ian Henry, director of Magherafelt-based construction company Henry Brothers, said business people now want to see politicians from all political parties working together.

“A stable political environment is crucial for local businesses as our government needs to start working together to get confidence back into Northern Ireland.

“Government needs to issue a planned pipeline of infrastructure projects that it intends to release over the next three years so everyone is aware of its commitment to funding within Northern Ireland. In turn, this will help provide the confidence we need,” Mr Henry said.