Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has challenged the Democratic Unionists to use their electoral triumph to form a new Northern Ireland power-sharing government in two weeks' time.
With the British government warning all sides in Belfast they will shut down the Stormont Parliament unless a deal is done by the March 26th deadline, Mr McGuinness pledged complete republican co-operation if the DUP goes back into an Executive.
The Sinn Fein chief negotiator claimed it was a time of great hope and opportunity after the two parties` major gains in Wednesday`s elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The DUP emerged as the largest party with 36 seats in the 108-member authority, followed by Sinn Fein`s 28 representatives.
After a meeting of his party`s Ard Chomhairle (Executive) in Dublin to begin preparations for possible devolution, Mr McGuinness said: "Over the next fortnight, the DUP have a big decision to make.
"They went into the election saying they are ready for government and they got a massive endorsement for this position.
"I hope that Ian Paisley will now see the benefits of doing the right thing.
"If they really want to move ahead they will find Sinn Fein ready to work with them to deliver in the interests of all the people."
Even though British Prime Minister Tony Blair has stressed that going beyond March 26th is not an option, the DUP has yet to commit to the deadline for going back into a power-sharing administration.
The party is demanding further proof of Sinn Fein`s support for policing and the rule of law following republicans` historic decision in January to back the force in Northern Ireland.
Should the Executive be reformed in time, the DUP`s electoral strength would give it four seats, Sinn Fein three, two Ulster Unionists and one nationalist SDLP.
At its head would be Mr Paisley as First Minister and Mr McGuinness as Deputy First Minister; a fascinating and once unthinkable combination.