You can see the international press review with James Creedon on weekday mornings at 9.10am, Paris time.

“Voters go to the polls for the second time on Lisbon Treaty” reads the main headline in today’s Irish Times. The paper says that the outcome will represent a defining moment in Ireland’s relationship with the European Union.

The government and leading opposition parties are all calling for a Yes vote, saying a No vote would damage confidence in Ireland. Sinn Féin and other parties supporting a No vote insist the Treaty will undermine Ireland’s position within the EU. Declan Ganley, a prominent No campaigner has said the referendum is a choice between fear and hope, “Millions have been telling the Irish to vote in terror and fear for the future. It has been a sick and dishonest campaign.”

TheIrish independent reports a low turnout at the polls on offshore islands where the vote began yesterday. Returning officers estimated that just over 40% of the 750 islanders registered to vote on five islands off the Donegal coast had actually cast their votes. Poor visibility prevented an Air Corps helicopter from delivering ballot boxes to the farthest flung islands of Tory and Inishboffin, resulting in a two-hour delay in the start of polling.

Elsewhere, the paper gets a little carried away with egg metaphors! How to separate the white of the Lisbon referendum from the yolk of a deeply unpopular Government? Matters have been pretty scrambled in the minds of many irate voters, says the Irish Independent. Opposition parties are aware of the unpopularity of the government but are saying save your anger for the next general election. Labour Party leader Eamonn Gilmore has said, “Lisbon + Government = Good. Everything Else + Government = Bad.” The article concludes, “if the thing goes through, we’ll never have to hear about the bloody L-word ever again.”

Other stories in the international papers:

The International Herald Tribune: The day of the tsunami

The Jerusalem Post: Obama gives Iran two weeks to let inspectors into Qom enrichment plant

The Wall Street Journal: Iranian opposition reacts with skepticism

Corriera della Serra: Patrizia d’Addario says Berlusconi knew she was a prostitute

La Stampa: Reaction to the appearance of d’Addario on Italian television last night