Referendum body gets record budget

THE independent body responsible for informing the public on referenda has been given a record budget for the second round of the Nice Treaty campaign.

Set up by Environment Minister Martin Cullen yesterday, the Referendum Commission has a budget of €3.5 million.

The figure is €330,000 more than was allocated for the first referendum in June 2001, despite the fact the commission’s remit has been reduced in the intervening period.