The Republic of Ireland doesn't have the highest tax on savings in Europe because the UK, and probably other member states as well, tax savings interest in the same way as other income.
So in the UK if you are a higher rate payer the tax on your interest is 40%. If you make more than £150,000 per annum your interest is taxed at 50%. Of course, when it comes to the UK, this has to be balanced against the fact that there are generous tax free ISA products available.
In my own view in the short term our government should increase DIRT and taxes on investments and pensions as much as possible, in order to lower VAT and other taxes, and boost consumer demand. Incentivising saving is the right long term goal but actively harmful in the midst of an economic crisis.