GEM is a start-up e-mail services company established just three months ago by well-known Northern businessman, Mr Owen Lamont.

Formerly managing director of NTL Cabletel Ireland, and former president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Lamont is pursuing an ambitious strategy to employ 300 people by the end of next year.

The company, which acts as an outsourced corporate e-mail reply service for large companies inundated by e-mail queries, currently employs 30 people, but has secured a substantial round of funding for its further rapid expansion.

Mr Lamont is very optimistic about the establishment of the power sharing executive in Northern Ireland, and looks forward to politicians addressing issues that have been long neglected.

"The Republic has a very clear strategy to become an e-commerce hub for Europe, whereas e-commerce in the UK has fallen into a catch-all strategy for all the regions until now.

"Now the Northern Ireland ministers are listening to us and there's a real appetite to develop this piece of turf. Until now the politicians never had power to abuse or use. Votes were cast on the basis of fear and flags. Now they will be judged on their performance," says Mr Lamont.

He thinks it will take a little more time before Northern Ireland can begin to attract the level of US investment the Republic has enjoyed. "I suspect, like a lot of people, the violence isn't over till it's over. Multinational investors are not going to take necessary risks in the meantime."

He envisages the North providing a "pressure release valve" to employers for problems in the Republic associated with high staff turnover, traffic congestion and the IDA Ireland strategy of decentralisation.

"We will also start to attract our young people home from abroad as they realise the North can emulate the Republic's success. As we move away from bitter politics we need to generate the same buzz the South has enjoyed, which leads to an air of confidence."