Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I suppose Senator Tuffy is correct in that sense, but the purpose is that this is a formal procedure which one must invoke before submitting one's defence. One cannot submit one's defence and afterwards state one is taking a totally different approach to the case, such that one will invoke the defence of an offer to make amends. It does not stop one doing all the things one could do to make amends in substance but it would not be considered an offer or give rise to the defence.