Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Senator Tuffy's question was one I wished to raise also. Would the Minister also outline in his reply the distinction between this and making a lodgement under section 27, about which I have certain misgivings? Does this arise, as Senator Tuffy suggested, where the case is proceeding, a party decides that he or she wishes to make a settlement, and an approach is made, generally through the lawyers, by which a settlement is agreed?

I note also that in this section — distinguished from section 27 by this — an offer to make amends means an offer to make a suitable correction of the statement and to publish that correction and apology. These essential components of this offer to make amends do not seem to apply in the latter section, but I suppose we will come to that later.