Confusions surrounds the status of a senior member of the Northern Ireland Fire Authority after it was revealed that she had rescinded a resignation letter sent to the health department last week.

Health Minister Des Browne said in a statement today that he had received a letter by fax, via the Fire Authority, signed by Rosemary Craig stating that she was resigning from the Fire Authority with immediate effect, dated 5 February 2003.

Mr Browne subsequently received a further letter dated 10 February from Mrs Craig in which she indicated that the first letter was merely a draft and that she wished to continue as a member of the Authority.

The Minister's statement indicated that both letters were under consideration.

However, according to the Chairman of the Fire Authority, William Gillespie, Mrs Craig’s initial correspondence was "genuine". He claimed that it contained a second fax which asked the Clerk of the Authority to ensure all papers relating to the Fire Authority were removed from her house and that all correspondence between them ended. Furthermore, Mr Gillespie claims that she added that she never wanted to see anyone from the Authority again.

Rosemary Craig was the only employers' representative from Northern Ireland to attend National Joint Council talks in London which have been trying to resolve the firefighters' dispute. Firefighters have recently taken strike action four times in their dispute over pay.

The National Joint Council is a forum for collective bargaining between fire service employers and the Fire Brigades Union. Mrs Craig was allowed to attend meetings of the powerful sub-committee – but only as an observer.

According to media reports, Mrs Craig has claimed that despite attending numerous high level meetings she was made to feel "isolated" and had therefore felt completely "disillusioned".

However, union representatives have blamed her for increasing tensions. Jim Barbour, the FBU's Northern Ireland spokesman, who was in London today for talks with FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist, said he was happy Mrs Craig had resigned and that it was “long overdue”.

Mr Barbour said that he had received a letter of apology from Mrs Craig regarding alleged statements she had made at a passing out parade in Belfast, but he added: “Firefighters will welcome her decision.”

(AMcE)