Paying into an Irish pension whilst abroad...?

I moved over to the UK in March 2006, I am paying into a UK Pension fund but was wondering can I setup an Irish pension fund and pay into this even though I am not living in the country?

I do not think that you would get any tax relief - that is if you were even allowed to set it up by provider...why not use the UK one to get tax relief and have no hassles and then transfer it back to Ireland if/when you do come back here?