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A decade after the UK stumbled into a rushed public vote that divided the nation and triggered chaos, a advisory is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and voters sleepwalked into Brexit and the identical might transpire with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering disturbances for which no one is ready.

That is the message from two prominent journalists from each side of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland leaving the UK to create a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Establishments Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully ill-prepared for a potentially fraught and seismic public vote.

"The crucial insight of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that developments can come out of the blue and can gain traction swiftly," the commentator said. "It is my view that the political architecture of our islands remains extremely volatile."

Book Publication Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have analysed the political, financial and cultural reasons for any governmental shift in a book, Examining Irish Unification, issued by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the matter with a roadshow of speaking events that will bring them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What haunts everybody, or should haunt all involved, is the Brexit vote of 2016," said O’Toole.

"We do not want a national vote on a binary, ambiguous question whose results have not been clarified because then you find yourself with an extremely divided society where those defeated are unable to accept defeat and the victorious side are uncertain precisely what it is that they have won."

Constitutional Provision

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a referendum on Irish unity if it seems probable that a most voters would vote in favour.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists argue such a time is looming, and a group called pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions minimise the prospect, making it uncertain if and when there could be a referendum.

Insufficient Serious Debate

Ideological statements for and against unification has hidden the absence of informed dialogue, stated the journalist.

"Many are for or against the idea but the concrete planning which could extend past that to make it possible has largely not occurred. A lot has occurred in scholarly circles but hardly any government figures or activists want to engage with even the essentials. To illustrate, which kind of country might be preferred? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Volume's Strategy

In the book, no writer advocates unity or the current situation. Both authors two pieces that aim for impartiality in detailing the rationale for a united Ireland and the argument opposing it, gathering financial and social statistics, previous instances and structural examples.

Arguments range over national emblems, taxes, health services, retirement funds, sovereign debt obligations and the threat of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to inform and provoke discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the subject but there is still lacking a dialogue," commented the writer. "Debate suggests an acceptance of the idea that there might be reasonable perspectives on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where the electorate claim they favour unity but refuse paying higher taxes or implementing a alternative symbol to recognise unionists' British identity.

"Authorities in Dublin must work out what the offer from nationalist groups is aside from just stating: 'We want a unified Ireland and we welcome you'," said the commentator.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride thinks a national vote in his lifetime is possible and that it may take place abruptly. "You could have just a reckless or a poor or a incompetent official who declares: 'Let's just do this and get it out of the way.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have reasonable, justified points, he stated. "One side will prevail here and somebody will ultimately lose but each side has has something to acquire from the opposing arguments."

Request for More Extensive Debate

Westminster needed to join the debate, stated O’Toole. "This involves your state. It is a British issue equally as it is an Irish issue."