On Tuesday, I raised the issue of diesel laundering. The office of the Leader kindly sent me a copy of the debate that took place in the Dáil, including a statement by the Minister, on petrol stretching. In the statement, the Minister said he was satisfied with the progress by the Revenue Commissioners in tackling fuel fraud and with the excellent co-operation between the Revenue Commissioners and the fuel sector. The Minister also said that, since 2011, 30 oil-laundering plants had been closed down, 3 million litres of illicit fuel had been seized and more than 120 filling stations had been closed. That is great. However, in the past week several containers of diesel sludge have been illegally dumped on Louth roads. International bulk containers - transporter containers with liquid - have been removed by contractors for Louth County Council. Six were dumped at Stephenstown Pond in Knockbridge.

There was a slight spillage from one of them. Last Wednesday Louth County Council was notified that nine barrels and one international bulk container of diesel sludge had been dumped on the roadside near Faughart graveyard. On Thursday morning, cubes of diesel sludge were dumped on the roads in Kilkerley, while three IBCs of diesel sludge were dumped at Ballykelly ESB station. Years ago smuggling was a gentleman's game. Smugglers and Customs and Excise and Revenue engaged in a game of cat and mouse and if they were caught, the smugglers held up their hands and took the hit. A smuggler who attempted to smuggle several tonnes of butter or some cattle may have had his lorry seized and that would have been the end of the matter. There is some evidence to suggest those trying to deal with this matter are being intimidated. As the Cathaoirleach stated on Tuesday, it is vital that we endeavour to have the Minister come to the House before this problem gets out of control.

I support Senator Jim D'Arcy's call for the Minister to come to the House to discuss a serious problem, particularly in the Border counties of Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. Every year hundreds of millions of euro is being lost to Revenue as a result of this activity which is carried out by gangsters. Unfortunately, these gangsters are, by and large, getting away with intimidating people. People living in the Border counties and the councils that represent them must pick up the tab for dealing with the sludge that is abandoned throughout the area. I call on the Minister to come before the House to discuss this issue. More resources must be allocated to the Customs service to deal with this problem which is spreading from the Border counties to the rest of the State. The issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

I join colleagues in congratulating the members of An Garda Síochána, the Naval Service, the Customs service and the international police forces who were involved in yesterday's successful seizure of a ship transporting drugs. I welcome this development as it has ensured drugs valued at €80 million will not reach our streets and the poor unfortunate people who use them. I encourage the Government to provide adequate funding to enable the policing, naval and customs services to continue to engage in these operations.

I ask the Leader to invite the new Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to the House to discuss how the transition from the vocational educational committees to education and training boards is progressing. I am aware that some difficulties have arisen, particularly in the area of training because some education and training boards do not have a training centre located in their jurisdiction.