Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said that it is a "matter of genuine regret" for him that one of his closest colleagues, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, has decided to stand down after the next election.
Mr Cowen, speaking at the conclusion of an EU summit meeting in Brussels, praised Mr Dempsey whom he described as a tremendous colleague to him in successive governments during a "long and distinguished career".
"He was a very good friend, a loyal colleague, a great team player, forthright and straight-talking. It was always straight down the line with him," Mr Cowen told a press conference.
Both TDs had entered government at the same time when Albert Reynolds became Taoiseach in 1991, when Mr Dempsey was made chief whip and Mr Cowen was appointed minister for labour.
Mr Cowen, who also issued a long statement expressing his regret at the decision, admitted it went without saying he would have preferred if Mr Dempsey were a candidate. He said decision on standing for election were ultimately an issue for every individual.
However, he did not accept the suggestion that there was an exodus of prominent Fianna Fáil TDs before an election that is generally regarded as the most difficult by far electorally for the party since its foundation over 80 years ago.
"There is a high turnover of people from Dáil to Dáil, both from the result of elections and people deciding not to stand again.
He said that all those who recently decided to step down - Dermot Ahern, Sean Ardagh, Noel Dempsey and Beverley Flynn - were good colleagues.
"You would rather have them on the team going for the next election. It reminds us all that every person has decided to step back from the fray for some reason," he said.
"There is genuine regret they decided not to go forward but I respect that decision."
Mr Cowen also said that he was ready for an election but hoped the debate would revolve around the realistic options facing the Irish people, not the politics of opposition.
"Whether Fianna Fáil is in Government or in opposition we will do the right thing for the country," he said.
He said the challenge now for the Opposition was to get beyond blaming the Government for everything and set out a programme before the elections that was realistic, doable and achievable. "It's time to go beyond petty party politics," he said. "Let's hear it from the Opposition, what are they going to do? We cannot wait until after the election to hear from them."
