Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that it is "utterly unacceptable" that the Defence Forces is unable to provide information around the number of people serving with criminal convictions.
He said that the Chief of Staff will provide a report to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin with an answer to that question.
"If you're convicted for a criminal offence while in the Defence Forces, get out of it", he told the Dáil.
It followed questions from the leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns, who described violence against women as an "epidemic".
She described Natasha O'Brien as "inspiring".
Criticising the suspended sentence handed to Cathal Crotty, Ms Cairns told the Dáil that "a man's career was deemed more important than women's safety".
"How many more times will we say never again," she asked.
Cathal Crotty pleaded guilty to assaulting 24-year-old Natasha O'Brien on Limerick's O'Connell Street causing her harm in May 2022.
Last week Crotty received a three-year suspended sentence for the attack that saw Ms O'Brien beaten unconscious.
The Defence Forces have said internal proceedings are under way following the court process.
Ms Cairns asked for an Ombudsman for Victims of Crime to be established.
She said that there were questions to be asked of the Judicial Council which was set-up in 2019 to provide updated sentencing guidelines.
Mr Harris said that the Government is seeking an update in relation to sentencing guidelines and that it's urgent that they are put in place.
Ms Cairns read out the names of women killed by men, including Ashling Murphy, Elaine O'Hara and Jennifer Poole.
Mr Harris said that he also wanted zero tolerance of violence against women.
"I'm not just a Taoiseach, I'm a father, I'm a son, I'm a husband. Everyone wants to live in a country with zero tolerance," he told the Dáil.
Applause for Natasha O'Brien in Dáil
The was a round of applause for Ms O’Brien in the Dáil this afternoon as she watched on from the public gallery.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl told her "we are on your side".
The vicious, brutal assault of Ms O’Brien by a member of the Defence Forces in Limerick was bragged about on social media, Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil.
Ms McDonald said it was shocking that Crotty was able to walk the streets.
She said the case echoes many women's experience of being unable to believe that the system will keep them safe.
Women have had enough and there has to be a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women, she said.
There are still nine counties without a domestic violence refuge centre, Ms McDonald said.
The Taoiseach said he 100% agreed with Ms McDonald that there is an epidemic of gender-based violence.
Mr Harris said he was constrained in what he can say but it is possible that the legal process is not yet finished in the Crotty case.
In a statement today, a Defence Forces spokesperson said that there is no place for any form of gender-based violence, abuse or any form or inappropriate behaviour by Defence Forces members, on or off duty.
"The Defence Forces unequivocally condemns any actions by serving personnel that are contrary to military regulations or that do not reflect our values.
"Any conviction in a civilian court has implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in military regulations."
The spokesperson also said that the Defence Forces cannot act until due process has been completed in a civilian court of law.
"It is then a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with military regulations.
"In the cases referred to the media, the Defence Forces can confirm that these proceedings have commenced.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further on these specific cases until they have concluded, to avoid any risk of prejudice."
Speaking before a meeting of the Cabinet earlier today, the Taoiseach said there were "people in the Defence Forces who clearly knew this was happening," and asked: "Why did they do nothing?"
"These are very serious questions and as Taoiseach I am not satisfied in relation to this, I am not satisfied at all."
He also expressed anger at a "flurry of activity" by Defence Forces now, questioning whether it was prompted by the public interest in the case.
"It's a harsh thing for me to have to say as Taoiseach but I feel I need to say it, would the Defence Forces be carrying out their review that they're now carrying out was there not so much public interest in this," he said.
"I am really angry about it because we are now seeing a flurry of activity but that flurry of activity is only coming about because of the bravery of Natasha O'Brien and I want to know how many other people are hiding with convictions in relation to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. They have no place, absolutely no place, in the Defence Forces," the Taoiseach added.
He said that the case of Ms O'Brien has "shone a very serious light in relation to the Defence Forces" and he said "it raises very grave and serious questions".
