If you are registered for vat, yes it applies.
I try to explain this to retailers who accept one4all cards - the real commission is 12.3% as it is 10% of the vat inclusive sale price. Revenue won't give a discount, so on a €100 sale the net is €81.30 and €10 of that is 12.3%
Same process would work for a referral once the goods are standard rated.
In your case, if you are vat registered, you would apply vat to the referral fee - the vendor would pay you €12.30 and reclaim the vat. You would pay the vat over in your vat returns.
If you are not vat registered, none of this applies.