Joe Debono Grech did NOT apologise to Marlene Farrugia. He apologised to the Speaker.

I have been reading reports that Joe Debono Grech apologised to Marlene Farrugia. He did no such thing. His letter of apology was addressed to the Speaker, presented only to the Speaker, and read out to the House by the Speaker.

It was a letter of apology from Joe Debono Grech to the Speaker, apologising for his behaviour in the House.

There was no separate letter of apology written to Marlene Farrugia, asking her to accept his regret for his behaviour towards her.

When you apologise to somebody, you apologise directly to him or her. That is what an apology means. If you go to John and say that you are sorry for what you did to Mary, you are not apologising to Mary but offering an explanation of your behaviour, and your regret, to John.

These are not fine distinctions but distinctions of major significance. Debono Grech did NOT apologise to Marlene Farrugia. He apologised to the Speaker of the House for behaving badly.