They kept almost nothing from Irene's original character. Almost nothing. (In addition to the things listed above, she was not committing treason, or blackmailing lots of people- she kept the photos of her with the King of Bohemia pretty much for her own protection.)

It really bothers me that Moffat is often worshiped the way he is. I've been yelled at by fanboys for daring to question his brilliance.