Simon Coveney visited the war torn country yesterday but was accompanied by the Garda’s Emergency Response Unit instead of the traditional Army Ranger Wing.
An internal security dispute arose as it was feared that the Garda unit would not have the correct technology to deal with such a trip.
Independent TD Cathal Berry served as deputy commander of the Army Ranger Wing.
He says the group would have more experience in dealing with a situation like the one in Ukraine:
"The ERU are excellent at what they do in relation to fighting crime in Ireland. That's really where they are needed. The Defence Forces are excellent at what they do which is operating overseas in a hostile environment. And I would always say send the Guards to crimefighting situations and send soldiers to war fighting situations. It seems like a very clear line of demarcation for me."
