There are risks in buying but there are also risks in renting for the next 20 years.
I think purchasing a property will de-risk the OP from ending up at 67 with insufficient money to purchase a home in the UK. His wealth increase/decrease will track the property market in Ireland and at 67 will hopefully allow him to have more options and wriggle room.
Maxing out his pension contributions allows him to have a good income on retirement, but saving 5K per annum to fund his house purchase in 20 years relies on his buying power to match property prices and this is too risky in my opinion.
I think purchasing a property will de-risk the OP from ending up at 67 with insufficient money to purchase a home in the UK. His wealth increase/decrease will track the property market in Ireland and at 67 will hopefully allow him to have more options and wriggle room.
Maxing out his pension contributions allows him to have a good income on retirement, but saving 5K per annum to fund his house purchase in 20 years relies on his buying power to match property prices and this is too risky in my opinion.