{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The ICE Expo Podcast","title":"Episode 4: “From Farmyard to Finance: A Conversation with Tom Parlon","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/c13f2a4d\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2762,"description":"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.\nThis is an honest, funny, and deeply informative conversation with one of the most experienced voices in Irish public and industrial life.\n00:00 – 00:00:24\nEuro Auctions sponsor intro & episode welcome\n00:00:24 – 00:01:11\nIntroducing Tom Parlon — politician, IFA President, CIF leader\n00:01:11 – 00:02:35\nEarly life on a small Offaly farm & agricultural college\n00:02:35 – 00:03:19\nStaying in Ireland vs moving to Australia — farming expands\n00:03:19 – 00:04:01\nNew Zealand scholarship & contracting beginnings\n00:04:01 – 00:05:07\nRising through the IFA to become President\n00:05:07 – 00:06:26\nEntering politics — joining the Progressive Democrats\n00:06:26 – 00:07:10\nBecoming Minister of State for Finance & overseeing the OPW\n00:07:10 – 00:10:02\nMajor projects, EU presidency stories & diplomatic challenges\n00:10:02 – 00:11:23\nInvesting in Offaly — heritage projects & local wins\n00:11:23 – 00:12:41\nLosing his seat and moving into the Construction Industry Federation\n00:12:41 – 00:14:28\nInside government: pressures, civil service, political realities\n00:14:28 – 00:16:31\nThe 2007–2012 crash — warning signs, collapse & survival\n00:16:31 – 00:18:54\nIreland’s infrastructure failures: water, electricity, planning delays\n00:18:54 – 00:21:21\nThe metro judicial review & structural reform frustrations\n00:21:21 – 00:22:21\nLessons the construction sector must remember\n00:22:21 – 00:24:16\nGreed, over-expansion & parallels with decentralisation\n00:24:16 – 00:26:24\nNAMA’s formation — opposition, consequences & industry fallout\n00:26:24 – 00:31:05\nCould NAMA-style emergency powers fix today’s crises?\n00:31:05 – 00:32:13\nMachinery...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/FFUUg3zmJxgtUrlETPHqeD3eG0i_yhjQRb2JE5eYaFI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81ZjFm/MjVlMzE0YWYzZjFm/YjI1OWNiZDU2M2U1/NDcyMC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}