The Taoiseach tonight paid tribute to Fianna Fáil TDs Tom Kitt and Sean Ardagh both of who have announced they will not seek re-election in the next general election.
The Taoiseach made his comments at today's Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting.
Mr Cowen thanked Mr Kitt, a Dublin South TD and former chief whip, and said the party would greatly miss "his valued contribution and his abilities" but said he respected Mr Kitt's decision not to seek re-election.
He said that Mr Kitt had served the people of Dublin South "with commitment, loyalty and true ability" and praised his work in a number of Government departments.
Mr Cowen also extended his good wishes to Dublin South Central TD Sean Ardagh who he said was one of the "most respected and hardest working TDs" in the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
"He has always been a popular figure in Leinster House and I greatly respect him for courtesy, his work-rate and his political abilities," Mr Cowen said.