The Democratic Unionist Party has tabled a petition of concern to block a private member's bill on Irish-medium education, preventing the legislation from passing by a simple majority. The bill, proposed by Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, would require the Department of Education to prepare a workforce plan for Irish-medium schools. It was scheduled for its final stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday.

The petition of concern forces a cross-community vote, requiring majority support from both unionist and nationalist MLAs to pass. The DUP has secured support from other unionist parties for the move, effectively vetoing the bill.

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions between the parties following the Drumcree parading dispute. Sinn Féin representatives, including First Minister Michelle O'Neill, were interviewed by police over their participation in a protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown in September that blocked an Orange Order parade. In response, the DUP announced that deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly would cease joint engagements with O'Neill.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the petition was part of his party's response to Sinn Féin's actions, stating that unionists would use "mechanisms at our disposal" to thwart Sinn Féin's agenda. He said the petition would receive support from other unionist parties.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill accused the DUP of sectarianism and disrespect for Irish identity. She said the party was "punishing children" by blocking the bill. Sheehan described the petition as "blatant sectarianism and anti-Irish bigotry" and said children educated through Irish are not second-class citizens.

Education Minister Paul Givan defended the DUP's use of the petition, calling it a "proportionate response" and said the bill was unnecessary. He argued it duplicated work already underway and would give preferential treatment to one sector. Givan said he has treated all education sectors equally and provided significant funding to Irish-medium schools.

UUP leader Jon Burrows said his party supported the petition because the bill gives preferential treatment to one sector and duplicates existing work. He said there are administrative and financial costs that are not needed. TUV leader Jim Allister confirmed his party's sole MLA would support the petition, describing the bill as a disproportionate tilting of funding.

Alliance Party deputy leader Eóin Tennyson criticised the move as a "petty stunt" that punishes children in Irish-medium schools. He accused the DUP of weaponising children in a culture war and gambling with the institutions. SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole called the petition completely indefensible and said it would add to public frustration with the institution.

The Irish language youth organisation Fóram na nÓg had written to UUP leader Jon Burrows urging him not to sign the petition. The group said the bill is narrow in scope but matters greatly to the Irish-medium community, which needs enough teachers and youth workers. They argued that using a petition of concern to block a majority vote would override the democratic process.