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Ten years after the UK stumbled into a hurried referendum that divided the nation and triggered disorder, a advisory comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

The government and electorate sleepwalked into Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking upheavals for which no one is prepared.

That conveys the caution from two respected journalists from each side of the Irish border who have collaborated to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland leaving the UK to form a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Institutions Unprepared

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully unprepared for a possibly tense and seismic public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that stuff can arise suddenly and can gather momentum swiftly," O’Toole stated. "It is my view that the institutional structure of our archipelago remains highly fragile."

New Title Intends to Stir Debate

The pair have studied the governmental, financial and cultural reasons for any structural alteration in a publication, Examining Irish Unification, published by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the matter with a tour of lectures that will take them to Westminster soon.

"What concerns all parties, or ought to concern all involved, is the Brexit vote of 2016," stated the analyst.

"We must avoid a national vote on a yes-no, unclear proposal whose implications have not been clarified because then you end up with an extremely divided society where those defeated are not reconciled to losing and the those successful lack clarity quite what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland secretary of state should call a public vote on Irish unification if it is indicated that a most voters would vote in favour.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups argue that moment is approaching, and a non-profit named pro-unification advocates has built momentum, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists play down the prospect, making it uncertain whether or when there might be a referendum.

Insufficient Substantive Discussion

Ideological statements supporting and opposing unity has obscured the lack of informed dialogue, stated McBride.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the notion but the concrete planning which might go beyond that to make it possible has largely not occurred. A lot has gone on in academia but hardly any politicians or campaigners are willing to participate with even the fundamentals. As an example, what type of nation might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, none of the commentators advocates unification or the existing arrangement. Both writes two essays that aim for impartiality in detailing the case for a united Ireland and the argument against, assembling economic and societal statistics, historical precedents and structural examples.

Discussions encompass national emblems, duties, health services, retirement funds, public liabilities and the threat of loyalist violence. The aim is to inform and stimulate conversation.

"Considerable attention exists in the topic but there hasn't quite been a discussion," stated the writer. "Dialogue implies an recognition of the idea that there may exist good arguments on either side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate report they prefer unification but refuse greater financial contributions or introducing a different emblem to acknowledge pro-UK communities' British identity.

"Authorities in Dublin does need to establish what the offer from pro-unification movements is aside from just stating: 'We desire a united Ireland and we welcome you'," said O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

The journalist thinks a national vote in his era is likely and that it may take place abruptly. "There might be just a mad or a ill-advised or a incompetent secretary of state who says: 'Let's just do this and get it out of the way.'"

Both nationalists and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, legitimate arguments, he stated. "Somebody will win here and somebody will ultimately lose but both parties has possesses something to gain from the other's viewpoints."

Request for More Extensive Debate

Westminster needed to participate in the dialogue, said O’Toole. "This concerns your state. It is a British issue just as much as it is an Irish matter."