Episode 4: “From Farmyard to Finance: A Conversation with Tom Parlon cover art

Episode 4: “From Farmyard to Finance: A Conversation with Tom Parlon

Episode 4: “From Farmyard to Finance: A Conversation with Tom Parlon

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 In this episode of the Ice Expo Podcast, we sit down with Tom Parlon — a man whose career spans farming, machinery, politics, and leadership at the highest levels of Ireland’s construction sector. From his early days on a small Offaly farm to becoming President of the IFA, a Government Minister, and Director General of the CIF, Tom shares a lifetime of insight.This is an honest, funny, and deeply informative conversation with one of the most experienced voices in Irish public and industrial life.00:00 – 00:00:24Euro Auctions sponsor intro & episode welcome00:00:24 – 00:01:11Introducing Tom Parlon — politician, IFA President, CIF leader00:01:11 – 00:02:35Early life on a small Offaly farm & agricultural college00:02:35 – 00:03:19Staying in Ireland vs moving to Australia — farming expands00:03:19 – 00:04:01New Zealand scholarship & contracting beginnings00:04:01 – 00:05:07Rising through the IFA to become President00:05:07 – 00:06:26Entering politics — joining the Progressive Democrats00:06:26 – 00:07:10Becoming Minister of State for Finance & overseeing the OPW00:07:10 – 00:10:02Major projects, EU presidency stories & diplomatic challenges00:10:02 – 00:11:23Investing in Offaly — heritage projects & local wins00:11:23 – 00:12:41Losing his seat and moving into the Construction Industry Federation00:12:41 – 00:14:28Inside government: pressures, civil service, political realities00:14:28 – 00:16:31The 2007–2012 crash — warning signs, collapse & survival00:16:31 – 00:18:54Ireland’s infrastructure failures: water, electricity, planning delays00:18:54 – 00:21:21The metro judicial review & structural reform frustrations00:21:21 – 00:22:21Lessons the construction sector must remember00:22:21 – 00:24:16Greed, over-expansion & parallels with decentralisation00:24:16 – 00:26:24NAMA’s formation — opposition, consequences & industry fallout00:26:24 – 00:31:05Could NAMA-style emergency powers fix today’s crises?00:31:05 – 00:32:13Machinery nostalgia — from Massey Ferguson to modern tech00:32:13 – 00:35:08The rise of advanced plant, automation & industry innovation00:35:08 – 00:37:14Sustainability on sites — recycling, materials & challenges00:37:14 – 00:40:18Energy, wind farms, solar, NIMBYism & planning blockages00:40:18 – 00:43:10Transport, infrastructure and what Ireland should learn00:43:10 – 00:45:25Advice to young contractors & pride in construction work00:45:25 – EndClosing thoughts & Ice Expo preview
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