Gotta be careful here as I don't intend discussing future house price directeions in Ireland.
But, IMHO, the concept of getting on the "property ladder" only makes sense in a rising market. Otherwise why bother buying a "starter home" with the intention of selling it a few years later in order to buy a "family home". The transaction costs (stamp duty, lawyers fees etc) and interest on your "starter mortgage" would be too expensive. You'd most likely be better off renting and saving a deposit for your ultimate "family home". Its price is not racing out of reach as we're no longer talking about a rising market (in this hypothetical example).
Property prices in Germany have been pretty static for the last 15 years which is actually a fall in price in real terms. Admitidly they also have a low home ownership figure, but they do not have a concept of, or a phrase for, "property ladder".