Dublin - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern will ask European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to confirm unequivocally that the Lisbon Treaty will security Ireland's veto in tax issues, national broadcaster RTE repored Thursday.

Speaking prior to Barroso's arrival in Ireland later Thursday, Ahern said he would request that the head of the EU's executive arm confirm that decisions on taxation within the bloc be unanimous and that any country can exercise a veto.

Recent comments by French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde about fixing a common corporate tax policy across the union have struck fear in Irish hearts: much of the Celtic Tiger's success at attracting investment has been due to its low
12.5-per-cent corporate tax rate.

Ireland is to hold a referendum in June on the EU Reform Treaty aimed at streamlining EU decision-making. (dpa)