Be cautious everyone, not sure about Irish law, but for the UK remember if you choose to be self employed and operate through a limited company it is an "IR35 compliance" Solicitor that can determine if you truly meet the requirements of being an "independent contractor".
This is an area the inland revenue have had a clampdown on in the recent few years, but it is apparent that some candidates have been claiming to be self employed thus claining the tax advantages where as really the inland revenue would deem them to be a "disguised employees". An accountant may well inform you of the tax advantages of running a limited company but may not necessarily question of you if you are truly IR35 compliant.
Yes, if at any point in the future you are deemed a disguised employee after running a limited conpany for a few years, then the inland revenue can then come back to you for any tax relief you incorrectly claimed.
Alot of people have got away with this purely by the virtue of that the earnings were not of a substantial amount that it would be worth an audit by the Inland Revenue. If called to prove your independent contractors status it is you not your accountant that must prove this.