Five hundred business leaders from companies based in Northern Ireland are to be questioned about the effect the suspension of the assembly could have on the economy.

They are to be polled on their expectations for business in the future, the effect of the current political impasse and the prospects for the economy.

The opinion survey has been commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland for its Business Day - a multi-media event being planned for 7 November.

It will be covered by BBC Northern Ireland television, radio and on-line with each platform featuring reports and programmes on Northern Ireland's business past, present and future.

Theme days

A poll of this scale and type has never been undertaken before in Northern Ireland. It is being carried out by the consultants PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The BBC has run two previous national 'theme' days - NHS Day in March and Cracking Crime Day in September. But Business Day is a BBC Northern Ireland event.

On the day itself, the opinion poll will be one of two main focuses.

Declan Curry to present TV special

The second will be a special discussion programme, It's Your Business, chaired by Northern Ireland born broadcaster Declan Curry, who presents the business news on BBC One's Breakfast.

He will be joined by BBC Northern Ireland news presenter Sarah Travers.

The debate will feature discussions among young entrepreneurs, foreign investors and local business leaders.

Viewers to vote

The programme will be broadcast live from a call centre in Belfast.

Among the questions put to the 500 Northern Ireland business leaders is whether the UK should enter the euro zone.

See what they think but more importantly you can have your say on this burning business question.

You can vote by phone, text or e-mail - call 08000 322262 to register a vote by phone.

Call 07764 355 202 to text your vote or e-mail your vote to businessdayni@bbc.co.uk.

Phone and text lines open at 1700 GMT on Thursday 7 November and the results will be announced live on It's Your Business at 2235 GMT on BBC One that night.

BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Talkback and Evening Extra; BBC Radio Foyle; BBC Newsline and BBC News Online will all devote some of their programming to the theme of the day.

Two BBC network business programmes will also broadcast from Belfast on 7 November. BBC One's Business Breakfast with Declan Curry will come live from Belfast followed by BBC Two's Working Lunch.