Sinn Fein was the only party from which MLAs refused to sign the Belfast Telegraph’s petition when we brought it to Stormont.

As dozens of MLAs from all other parties queued to sign the Sit Down, Sort it Out petition, Sinn Fein politicians declined to back it.

Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney said: “If the Belfast Telegraph had been calling for all party talks on this issue a few years ago we may not be in the situation we are in now.

“Our party has always wanted all party talks but other parties will not sit down and talk.”

Sinn Fein colleague Francie Brolly, a former schoolteacher, said of the petition: “We have our own thoughts about it and our own programme. We don't want to be railroaded into something.

“Fundamentally, what we're saying is that we don't want the media setting the agenda for us.”

Meanwhile, a DUP member of the Stormont Executive has claimed a resolution to the school transfer mess is not going to happen with Sinn Fein’s Caitriona Ruane in charge of the Department of Education.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots made the comment while signing this newspaper’s petition yesterday on the schooling stalemate.

He said: “I would wish the Belfast Telegraph luck in finding agreement on this. We have worked very hard to try and get some resolution with the Minister and just found it impossible thus far.

“I think if there is a bit of give and take, there could be common ground found for the good of the children of Northern Ireland.”

Mr Poots added: “I think there is a potential for consensus. I don't think it will happen under the current Minister for Education.

“There is a fundamental problem there.

“Whether it's another Minister from the same party or whether we have to wait for a future Assembly, there will be consensus found in education.

“The sooner it's found, the better.”