Cowen bids farewell with last official engagement

Brian Cowen is bidding farewell to politics, choosing a local event in Co Offaly for his last public engagement as Taoiseach.

Opening the Clara Bog visitor centre earlier today, Mr Cowen told reporters he would take time to relax once he hands over the reigns to Enda Kenny on Wednesday.

He told Midlands Radio that he wishes his successor well.

"I don't have any plans for the future. I leave office next Wednesday so I'll do my job until then…I wish the in-coming Government well," he said.