We've heard of KBIs - key business influencers, courtesy of AIB executives at the Moriarty Tribunal. Now we have KOFs, key opinion formers. The phrase occurs in a letter to several TDs from the chairman and managing director of Irish Shell, Michael Forde, inviting them to "a unique forum" in Tinakilly House Hotel, Wicklow, next Tuesday and Wednesday.
"This forum," says the letter, "will be the first of its kind in Europe and part of a series of worldwide events which are intended to influence the way Shell develops into the next century." A small group of key opinion formers in several countries "are being asked to engage in frank and open dialogue with senior Shell management personnel about key issues and especially about what the community expects of us . . . you are not being invited to become supporters of Shell, but constructive critics."
The invite goes on about the company's values coming under scrutiny and its determination to take seriously issues such as human rights, environment, business ethics, exploitation and community and so on and so forth. In the chair will be PJ Drudy, senior economics lecturer at TCD.
Quidnunc is not sure how many deputies got this missive, but she knows of two who turned it down. FF's Mary Hanafin resented its tone, particularly the statement that all expenses will be paid by Shell who will also make a contribution to a chosen charity. She was totally opposed to its environmental policy, or lack of it, in Nigeria - something she had done some work on as a teacher.
Labour's Liz McManus isn't going either because she is running in the local elections. While she did have reservations about Shell, she felt she should welcome its efforts to be more sensitive.