I think that comparing different country's tax rates and bands is not a good measure - there are pros and cons for each country, and many "hidden taxes". (e.g. in Belgium the average tax take is 33%, and social security is 33%, leaving an employee with 33% in their hand!!!!)
I lived in the UK for many years, and although the tax bands and allowances are more generous in the UK, there is the Council Tax to pay in the UK, and PRSI is actually marginally lower in Ireland.
On a salary of about €60K, the net take home in the UK is greater, but by the time you pay your council tax out of your net income, you have about the same net spending power.
You need to look at the overall picture.......