U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has thanked the Irish government for accepting two prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on September 26 that it had transferred two prisoners from their detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into the care of the Irish government.

The two men, believed to be from Uzbekistan, were sent to Ireland in July.

Clinton took the opportunity while in Ireland to personally thank the country for its assistance in the relocation of detainees.

"We are very grateful to the Taoiseach, to the Government and to the people of Ireland for accepting the detainees,” she said before meeting Brian Cowen and Micheal Martin at The Phoenix Park in Dublin.

"Obviously we have worked closely with the Irish government to effectuate this transfer. And we are not only appreciative but also quite admiring of the approach that this government has taken."

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he was happy to help the U.S. administration with efforts that would lead to the closure of the detention center.

"Our government is capable of arranging of this resettlement to take place. It is being pursued, it will take place and we are happy to do so in an effort to assist a friend in dealing with an issue which we very much welcome – the fact that the present administration’s policy in this area is to close Guantanamo," he said.