MEMBERS of Stormont's environment committee yesterday considered a private members bill from Dawn Purvis to end dual mandates as councillors and MLAs.
According to the PUP representative, 67 of the 108 MLAs are also councillors.
Yet despite this large number of dual mandates, there has been muted opposition to her proposal so far.
The DUP is believed to have been uneasy about the proposed ban
on being a councillor and an MLA at the same time, but has been reluctant to be seen to be defending double jobbing.
Only the Alliance Party has been prepared to speak out against the measure.
If Ms Purvis gets approval for her bill when it completes its passage through Stormont, it will be possible to hold almost any full-time job you can imagine — doctor, teacher, carpenter, road sweeper, sailor — and be a councillor. Yet it will not be possible to be an Assembly member and a councillor, despite the fact that councillors are part-time roles that only get allowances rather than full-time salaries.
Stephen Farry, Alliance MLA for North Down, said that he accepted that it was unsustainable to be both an MP and an MLA. But being a councillor and an MLA was a different matter, and should be allowed.
“This is reaching the level where some MLAs are now stepping down from their council role and the expectation that most others will address the issue at the next local government election. I think that there is a loss of perspective on this,” he told the News Letter.
“The post of councillor is not a full-time job. The role of councillor has been designed to function alongside office holders having full-time jobs whether in the professions, business, the farm or factory.”
He added: “Therefore, there should be no reason why someone could not be both an MLA and also a councillor. Indeed, an argument can be made that the posts can be mutually reinforcing. The only real problem arises where there is a conflict of interest.
“This clearly applies to a MLA being both a minister and a councillor. Indeed, David Ford stepped down from Antrim Borough Council promptly after becoming the minister of Justice.”
Mr Farry said that he had found that being a councillor — “particularly the way in which it increased my knowledge of local issues” — had added to his understanding of being an MLA..
“Equally, as an MLA I feel that I can help my council with some local issues or ensure that there is a voice for how Assembly decisions can impact upon local government. There is also an overlap within constituency work.”
But Ms Purvis says the public have “made it quite clear that they are opposed to dual mandates”.
“There is something absolutely wrong with holding two or more positions at one time,” she told the News Letter.
But why then is it acceptable to hold any other full-time job and be a part-time councillor, but not be an MLA and a councillor?
“If you are a doctor or teacher, the public are clear on your role and how you are held accountable. They know how you earn your money and what you do to earn your money,” she said.
