The Rev Ian Paisley has given his clearest signal yet that his Democratic Unionist Party is preparing to go into a power-sharing government, Sinn Fein said tonight.
The party's general secretary Mitchel McLaughlin welcomed Mr Paisley's announcement that the Finance and Personnel portfolio would be the DUP's first ministerial choice in a new devolved administration.
In an open letter to voters, Mr Paisley said his party would claim the Finance and Personnel post and insist Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown resolve the issue of water charges once and for all in his financial package to bolster a new Stormont executive.
The North Antrim MP vowed: "If the DUP is returned at this election as the largest political party, I will make the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) my party's first ministerial choice.
"While a final decision on this issue will be one for the whole Executive and Assembly to determine, the primary responsibility for bringing forward proposals will lie with the DFP minister.
"I want my minister to take charge of this issue." Northern Ireland's ratepayers are due to receive their water charge bills next month, based on the value of their homes. There has been widespread opposition to the charges, with parties claiming ratepayers are already paying for water and sewerage services through their domestic rates bills.
Mr Paisley acknowledged that he had rarely seen an issue which had generated so much opposition in all his years in politics. However the DUP leader's announcement was interpreted by Sinn Fein's South Antrim candidate Mitchel McLaughlin as a signal that the DUP leader was preparing to go into a power-sharing government.
"What has been very encouraging during this election campaign is that socio-economic issues have been dominating the conversations we have been having with voters," he said. "I would be very surprised if that message hasn't been coming back to the DUP too.
"This development would appear to suggest that it has been. It is a very positive indication that the DUP are going to take part in a power-sharing executive."
British government sources also noted the announcement. "I think it is arguably the most significant development of this election campaign," a Government source observed. "It says an awful lot about the mindset of the DUP leadership as we approach the end of this campaign. They have never been so clear before about which portfolio they will take in a devolved government."
As she launched her party's online election manifesto and a mural in Belfast depicting a new dawn over the city, Progressive Unionist leader Dawn Purvis was convinced the DUP and Sinn Fein were preparing for power sharing. "We are moving into a new dawn," the East Belfast candidate declared.
The SDLP's Joe Boyle said the fact that the DUP was prioritising its choice of ministries made it all the more crucial that voters choose the right parties next Wednesday to lead a power-sharing government.
The Strangford candidate said: "It appears that we are now heading into an election which will lead to restoration and government. "That is why it is crucial that people get out and vote on Wednesday.
"The results of this election will define progress on issues such as water charges, rates bills, health and education for the next five years. Only a stronger SDLP at the centre of Government can deliver real change and ensure that the people of the North are not short-changed."
However, Ulster Unionist chief negotiator Alan McFarland accused the DUP of being detached from reality and engaging in double-speak. "This is the final nail in the coffin for DUP hypocrisy," the North Down candidate said. "Here we have claims about what they might do in a ministry but they're not honest enough to tell people if they'll even go into the Executive.
"They can't have it both ways. It was only a short time ago that DUP MP Gregory Campbell said that 'it would be an insult to people's intelligence to think we could be in government with Sinn Fein by March 26'."