"Prospects never before imagined lie before us if we can reach out and grab the opportunities," the party's deputy leader concluded in an exclusive article for the Belfast Telegraph.

But he warned for the Executive to work the parties needed to respect the very real differences between them - and repeated his assertion that "a battle a day" will be par for the course.

The East Belfast MP added, however, that the socio-economic outlook of many nationalists and unionists is "not dissimilar.

"The desire to improve the lot of our community will be shared by all Executive parties," he said.

His assessment came, however, as the party's former MEP Jim Allister said the DUP decision to share power with Sinn Fein had meant the family of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney had been let down.

"Having met the McCartney sisters recently, I was aware that they hoped the DUP had secured a firm commitment from Sinn Fein to take decisive action to bring to justice the murderers of their brother," he said.

"I share their disappointment that today Ian Paisley had no positive news for them. It seems Sinn Fein is set to continue in the paths of obfuscation and still prioritises "looking after its own" before securing justice for a victim of a foul murder."

Mr Robinson, however, said he was putting republicans "on notice" that the DUP would be not only guarding against attempts to advance a united Ireland but strengthening the Union.