Referendum Commission tries to clear up veto and abortion doubts

THE Referendum Commission has stepped in to end the confusion over key areas of the Lisbon treaty.

The commission is the independent body tasked with explaining the treaty to voters. It is strictly neutral and is not taking sides in the campaign.

One main area of confusion is whether Ireland would retain its power to veto any unfavourable World Trade Organisation (WTO) deal if the treaty were passed. The commission explained that any decision by the EU on a WTO deal would require the agreement of every member state if the deal covered certain areas.