Bertie Ahern enjoyed a reputation as the Teflon Taoiseach when he was in office, because scandals that ocurred during his years in politics appeared to pass by with causing any significant damage to his standing with the electorate.
It's a description he shares with other controversial former world leaders including Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.
But what exactly is teflon, and what other uses could it have, other than providing a protective layer to under-fire politicians?
Teflon is a collection of carbon and flourine compounds arranged in molecules and best known as a non-stick surface for cookware. Now Newstalk brings you five lesser known uses for the fluoropolymer.
1. Submarines
Nanotechnologists in America are working on developing a non-stick surface for submarines, which would allow the machines to glide through the water with much less resistance, and using less fuel.
2. Non-stick gum
Manufacturers are working on producing non-stick chewing gum, a process involving coating the gum with a layer of water that makes it easier to remove from surfaces. Non-stick gum could save authorities millions of euros in street clean-up costs.
3. Teflon Brothers
A Finnish hip hop and rap group from Helsinki, best known for their 2014 hit (in Finland) Maradona
Via: Teflon Brothers Facebook page
4. Insect repellent
Teflon can be applied to surface to provide a barrier insects can't pass over. Perhaps best used in Bed Bug Barrier Tape, guaranteed too slippery for bed bugs to cross.
5. Ammunition
When teflon was used to coat bullets in the 1980s they were infamously nicknamed 'cop killers'. The Ohio company that first developed them for use by law enforcement officials says the primary function of coating the bullets is to protect a gun's barrel from wear.
Picture by: FRANK AUGSTEIN / AP/Press Association Images
Finally, we would remind Mr. Ahern of the little known phenomenon 'teflon flu', whereby sufferers develop a fever after inhaling fumes during the process of heating.
