The Dáil has passed a motion calling for the national broadband network to be kept in public ownership.
The motion from the Labour Party says if State investment of almost €3 billion is to be put into the plan, it should stay in public ownership.
It puts pressure on the Government to change its plans for the contract for the National Broadband Plan, but it doesn't have to abide by the motion.
Labour TD Seán Sherlock suggested there's now a "huge mandate" for keeping the network in State ownership.
He argued: “This is a decision that impacts generations to come and we want to ensure equality of access to high speed broadband across the country for future generations.
“The decision to keep broadband in public ownership now has the backing of Dáil Éireann as well as the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change before that, and I trust that Government will honour today’s vote and do the right thing by rural Ireland.”
Broadband Plan
In May, the Government officially gave the go-ahead for the National Broadband Plan - despite concerns from the Department of Public Expenditure about the almost €3 billion price tag for the project.
A consortium led by Granahan McCourt - the sole remaining bidder in the tender process - was named as the preferred bidder.
The plan is aimed at ensuring more than 500,000 homes and businesses receives high-speed internet - and the Government has claimed 1.1 million people will benefit.
The first new homes will be connected in 2020, but thousands of others may have to wait years to be on the grid.
While the final contract has yet to be signed, ministers have repeatedly ruled out the prospect of reopening the tendering process.
