(1) An application for the grant of an employment permit in respect of the employment in the State of a particular foreign national may, subject to subsection (3), be made, other than in a case referred to in subsection (2), by -
(a) the person proposing to employ the foreign national, or
(b) the foreign national.
(2) In a case -
(a) where the application is made in respect of the purpose referred to in section 3A(2)(e), the application shall be made by the contractor concerned,
(b) where the application is made in respect of the purpose referred to in section 3A(2)(d), the application shall be made by the connected person concerned, or
(c) falling within section 2(1A)(c) of the Act of 2003, the application shall be made by the person party to the arrangement concerned.
(3) Subject to section 10A, an application under this section shall not be made unless an offer of employment in the State has been made in writing to a foreign national within such period preceding the application as m
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