LONDON, April 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ireland's coalition government on Tuesday overcame a no-confidence vote over its handling of a fuel crisis sparked by the war in the Middle East.

After a heated debate in parliament the government won the vote, with 92 votes to 78.

Tuesday's no-confidence motion was introduced by the main opposition party, Sinn Fein.

Hauliers and agricultural contractors in Ireland have launched a series of protests over the past week over spiralling petrol and diesel prices.

At an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday, the government announced fresh tax cuts after protests threatened the functioning of the country's emergency services.

The cuts included a 10-cent reduction per litre on diesel and petrol, and the postponement of a planned increase on carbon tax from May until the government's next budget in October.

Last week's protests grew from slow-moving convoys on motorways and restricted access to Dublin's busiest streets to a partial blockade of Ireland's only oil refinery and restricted access to at least two other fuel depots.