Part One - Ratepayers fork out for degree and media courses for councillors #BBCNolan

Thousands of pounds of ratepayers money is being spent on training courses and degrees for local councillors. A story in the Sunday World at the weekend based on a Freedom of Information request showed that 'personal development' payments are being dished out to councillors at Belfast City Council. Some of the payments were made out for councillors to study for university degrees, while others went to party events, like SDLP away days and Sinn Fein Planning Days. Councillors also took courses like 'handling press and radio interviews', media training and mediation courses. Stephen was joined by Claire Hanna from the SDLP who received more than £3,000 to take a masters degree at Queen's University, the Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers and we took your calls