MLAs debated the further consideration stage of the Local Government Bill, on 1 April 2014.

The bill set out the types of powers 11 new local councils would have and how they should be run

Two amendments, set out by the TUV's Jim Allister, sought to preclude members of the House of Lords or legislatures in other countries, from sitting on local councils.

Mr Allister said he didn't anticipate "a rush of peers wanting to enter local government".

The DUP's Peter Weir agreed with the logic of barring members of the Irish parliament from "double-jobbing", but challenged the inclusion of peers who are "appointed, rather than mandated".

Sinn Fein's Ian Milne supported Mr Allister's amendments, adding, "we as a party have a longstanding belief there should be no double-jobbing".

The SDLP's Colum Eastwood also backed the motion.

"Being a councillor and doing it properly is more than a full time job and that will increase after the council restructuring," he said.

The Foyle MLA said that being a member of another legislature would make it difficult to fulfil council obligations.

Alliance's Anna Lo said her party also supported the TUV amendments.

Members also debated an NI21 amendment that would allow "public bodies to support employees seeking election to council" by providing three weeks' unpaid leave and "actively seeking to overcome perceived conflicts of interest".

A number of members raised concerns that this might provide an unfair advantage to public sector employees and deter those in the private sector from running in council elections.

The UUP's Tom Elliott said he was aware of people working in the private sector who had been "advised against standing".

Green MLA Steven Agnew disagreed and said that "positive action" was needed to address impediments to involvement in local politics in the public sector.

MLAs discussed an amendment by the environment minister that would allow councils to decide the makeup of council committees through their own standing orders, rather than by setting rules applying to all councils.

His party colleague, Alban Maginness, said the intent was to enshrine flexibility.

"It permits councils a flexibility, which is desirable. One size doesn't fit all in our political experience," he said.

The DUP's Peter Weir warned, though, "eleven separate interpretations runs the risk of variations that could suit one area better than another, rather than a common formula approved by this house".

The second part of this debate can be viewed here.