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A decade after the UK entered into a hurried public vote that split the country and caused chaos, a caution comes from across the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and citizens drifted into Brexit and the similar could occur with a referendum on a united Ireland, triggering upheavals for which nobody is prepared.

That represents the warning from two respected journalists from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland leaving the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Not Ready

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have found that the political establishments in Ireland and Britain are gravely ill-prepared for a potentially tense and monumental public vote.

"The lesson of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that developments can emerge unexpectedly and can build support swiftly," the commentator remarked. "In my opinion that the political architecture of our islands remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The team have studied the governmental, economic and cultural rationales for any structural alteration in a book, The Case For and Against Unification, issued by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to stir debate on the topic with a series of public talks that will lead them to Westminster early next month.

"What concerns everyone, or should haunt every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," commented O’Toole.

"We do not want a referendum on a yes-no, vague proposition whose implications have not been clarified because then you find yourself with an extremely polarised community where those defeated are resistant to defeat and the those successful are uncertain exactly what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unification if it seems probable that a majority would support.

Nationalist parties and other pro-unification groups claim such a time is looming, and a group named Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists minimise the possibility, making it uncertain whether or when there might be a national vote.

Insufficient Substantive Discussion

Partisan language for and against unification has hidden the shortage of serious debate, stated the journalist.

"People tend to be for or against the idea but the actual thinking which might go beyond that to achieve it is mostly absent. A lot has gone on in scholarly circles but hardly any government figures or activists seek to involve themselves even with the basics. For instance, which kind of country would you want? Centralised? Federal?"

Publication's Method

In the book, none of the commentators endorses unity or the current situation. They composes two essays that strive for impartiality in detailing the rationale for a unified Ireland and the argument opposing it, assembling economic and societal figures, past examples and structural examples.

Debates encompass identity markers, levies, healthcare systems, elderly benefits, public liabilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to educate and stimulate dialogue.

"There's huge interest in the issue but there hasn't quite been a discussion," stated O’Toole. "Dialogue implies an recognition of the concept that there may exist good arguments on both sides."

Dual Referendums

A public vote in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the Republic of Ireland, where citizens say they favour unification but oppose greater financial contributions or introducing a alternative symbol to acknowledge unionists' British identity.

"Authorities in Dublin should establish what the proposal from pro-unification movements is beyond just saying: 'We want a unified Ireland and we love you'," said the commentator.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride thinks a referendum in his generation is likely and that it could happen unexpectedly. "There might be just a reckless or a poor or a incompetent secretary of state who states: 'Let's just do this and settle the matter.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and unionists have reasonable, valid perspectives, he said. "Somebody will win in this matter and somebody will in the end be defeated but all factions has has valuable insights to gain from the alternative arguments."

Call for More Extensive Debate

Westminster must engage with the discussion, urged the analyst. "This is about your state. It's a British issue equally as it is an Irish issue."