Sinn Féin has tabled a Dáil motion demanding the establishment of a full commission of investigation into allegations of systemic abuse in the Defence Forces.
The Women of Honour group has brought forward detailed allegations of persistent abuse and discrimination.
Sorca Clarke TD, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on defence, said that the group have been repeatedly let down by the Government which is "gaslighting" them.
She asked how they could have faith in a judge-led independent review which cannot compel witnesses to attend.
They felt like they had been "patted on the head" after their last meeting with Minister for Defence Simon Coveney, she said.
Ms Clarke called on the minister to "do the right thing", re-engage with the group and put in place a statutory inquiry.
"It's disgusting," Sinn Féin's Réada Cronin said. "It re-victimises and retraumatises them".
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State, Jack Chambers appeared for Minister Coveney.
He commended the Women of Honour for publicly sharing their experiences, and insisted that "abuse of power is not acceptable in any form".
An interim report is expected in six months, and a final report within a year, he said.
Minister Chambers insisted that the Government is "not ruling out a further body of work" in the future.
Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell criticised the "almost offensive" Government response.
"Give these women the statutory inquiry they are calling for," she appealed to the minister.
Labour TD Brendan Howlin commended the Sinn Féin motion as being part of a national response to rooting out violence, abuse and sexual assault from all areas of Irish life.
Minister Coveney, as an employer, is obliged to provide a safe environment to those in the Defence Forces, Mr Howlin said.
To guarantee this, "We need a statutory inquiry", he added.
Peader Tóibín, Aontú leader, said that as the debate is of "enormous gravity", he was disappointed by Minister Coveney's absence.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly criticised the "pathetic terms of reference".
However Minister of State Josepha Madigan insisted that they allow the review to conduct a robust investigation.
She said that it will factor in the possible existence of fears of reprisal and a culture of complicity in deterring people from coming forward.
A vote on a Government ammendment to the bill will take place tomorrow.
