The National Broadband Plan has been described as a "rotten deal" for the taxpayer.
TDs in the Dáil have been debating the €3 billion project, which was approved by the Government earlier this week.
After a series of delays in the process, the consortium led by Granahan McCourt - the sole remaining bidder in the tender process - was named as the preferred bidder.
Over the coming years, the plan will see broadband rolled out to 540,000 homes and businesses in rural areas.
The first new homes will be connected in 2020 - but thousands of others may have to wait years to be on the grid.
Following the approval, it has emerged that the Department of Public Expenditure strongly warned the Government against going ahead with the plan.
Documents published yesterday afternoon showed that public spending officials said the project represents an "unprecedented risk" to the State.
They also highlighted that the State will not own the assets once the project is completed.
"This isn't a tiddlywinks process"
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said the State needs to own the infrastructure being put in place.
She asked: "Why is the Government doing such a rotten deal for the taxpayer, and such a good deal for private companies?"
That view was shared by Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley, who said: "It is essential that the State retain control of this large project and vital infrastructure - this isn't a tiddlywinks process."
Fianna Fáil suggested it would go with another way for providing broadband to rural Ireland.
However, Communications Minister Richard Bruton said they considered the options available.
He insisted: "For objective reasons in every case, it was found that they would either create greater costs imposed, a longer delay, or greater uncertainty and risks for the State.
"I can assure you that the only cheaper alternative to doing this is to leave some of our people in rural Ireland behind - and that's something the Government is not willing to countenance."
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, meanwhile, believes the Government is deflecting to avoid the fact that they ignored the advice of key public spending officials not to go ahead with the project
He claimed: "The Government is spinning like hell, and people need to call out the spin.
"The Government is really playing fast and loose with the public finances, and that needs to be called out."
Despite the protests of TDs, the Government doesn't need Dáil approval to sign this contract.
The appetite also isn't there from Fianna Fáil to collapse the Government on this issue.
