Cork TD James O'Connor explains how dispute with FF leadership was resolved 

James O'Connor had publicly criticised the National Development Plan and the absence of several Cork roads projects from the document

Cork East TD James O'Connor, who has withdrawn his threat to quit Fianna Fáil. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Cork East TD James O'Connor has withdrawn his threat to quit the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in a dispute over the funding of road projects.

Mr O'Connor had claimed he was misled about the contents of the National Development Plan (NDP), saying he expected a bypass of Killeagh/Castlemartyr and an upgrade of the Fota Road to Cobh to be included. 

He threatened to quit the party but held talks yesterday with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath to resolve the dispute. 

Mr O'Connor said today that he received commitments that Government would give its “full support” for the projects. 

“The process will be initiated, it will take a number of years. The good news is that this project will be initiated.” 

The project was “extremely important” to the people of East Cork, he added.

When asked if he had been serious about his threat to resign the party whip on the issue, Mr O’Connor said that he would not make such a statement unless he was serious. 

“This is the issue that I fought my general election campaign on.” 

He had a mandate from the people he represented “to get this issue resolved.” 

Mr O’Connor said he wanted to work “in good faith” with his colleagues. This had been “an extremely serious situation”, he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

It is understood that the Taoiseach explained there is flexibility mentioned within the plan and just because a road isn't specifically mentioned, doesn't mean that it will not be built. 

Mr O'Connor was also told that the Government is "supportive" of progressing the Castlemartyr bypass to a Strategic Assessment Report and route selection by the middle of next year. The ministers also told Mr O'Connor that other towns facing such issues will be considered outside of the scope of the NDP.

Earlier this week, Mr O'Connor blasted government leaders, saying that despite repeated assurances, it was not until last Sunday night that he discovered that neither of the East Cork projects would be included in the National Development Plan, which was announced on Monday.

When asked if he felt that he was lied to, Mr O’Connor said “yes, by a multitude of colleagues".

“I feel I have been deeply misled. I am hurt," he said on C103 radio.