The request was revealed during an appeal to the public to put a stop to inappropriate, time-wasting calls.

BBC: Ambulance service staff

The request also found that another official was given a written warning for making for inappropriate comments about a colleague on Facebook.

BBC: Wales

Chinese regulators often request changes to films to remove sexually explicit scenes, violence and other topics deemed inappropriate for the audience in China - which is now the second-biggest movie market in the world.

BBC: Django Unchained opening cancelled in China

Mr Hoban said it would be "inappropriate" to speculate about what may or may not happen, given that there had been no formal request from Dublin for help.

BBC: Ministers urged to rule out Ireland bailout