That is the right strategy for the moment.
You should save the balance outside a pension fund e.g. Do you have a mortgage? If so, pay off the mortgage instead of contributing to a pension fund for only 20% tax relief.
At some stage in the next thirty years, it's likely that you will have unused potential to contribute at the higher rate.
In other words, let's say you contribute €3,000 today at 20% relief instead of paying the net amount off your pension. Then in 10 years, with children and other expenses you have €20,000 worth of income at 40% tax rate, but you can't afford to contribute €20,000 to the pension. You will be kicking yourself that you didn't save your money until you got the 40% tax relief.
Brendan