I would question whether "our government is miles behind on pension reform" simply on the basis of the recent UK changes.
As I understand it, the UK changes will apply only to Defined Contribution schemes (not Defined Benefit). However we have had the ARF facility in Ireland for DC schemes since 1999 and if anything the UK is following Ireland's example. Our ARF structure allows DC members to access all their residual fund (after any tax-free lump sum and perhaps the first €63,500 for an AMRF) in the form of an income drawdown. But as in the UK any drawdown is subject to tax.
There are other issues where Ireland could do with some pension reform, but on the UK changes I would argue that we are some 15 years ahead of the UK. They are copying us?