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A decade after the UK entered into a hurried public vote that polarised the country and unleashed disorder, a advisory is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Policymakers and citizens sleepwalked into Brexit and the same may happen with a referendum on a united Ireland, sparking convulsions for which nobody is prepared.

That represents the warning from two respected journalists from each side of the Irish border who have joined forces to analyse the benefits and drawbacks of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to create a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Structures Ill-Equipped

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have determined that the political establishments in Ireland and Britain are extremely ill-prepared for a potentially fraught and seismic public vote.

"The lesson of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that events can arise suddenly and can build support very quickly," the commentator stated. "In my opinion that the political architecture of our archipelago remains highly fragile."

New Title Aims to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have examined the governmental, economic and societal rationales for any structural alteration in a volume, For and Against a United Ireland, issued by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to stir debate on the issue with a series of speaking events that will lead them to Westminster soon.

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

"We do not want a national vote on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose results have not been clarified because then you land with an highly polarised community where those defeated are unable to accept losing and the those successful are uncertain quite what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a public vote on Irish unity if it appears likely that a majority would approve.

Nationalist parties and other pro-unification groups claim this point is approaching, and a group called Ireland’s Future has garnered backing, but both governments and pro-UK factions play down the likelihood, leaving it unclear whether or when there will be a referendum.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Ideological statements supporting and opposing unity has hidden the lack of substantive discussion, noted the journalist.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the idea but the actual thinking which may surpass that to make it possible has largely not occurred. A great deal has occurred in academia but scarcely any elected officials or activists seek to involve themselves with even the basics. To illustrate, what type of nation would you want? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the publication, neither author endorses unification or the current situation. Both writes two articles that aim for neutrality in presenting the argument for a unified Ireland and the argument opposing it, marshalling financial and social data, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Debates encompass national emblems, levies, medical care, pensions, sovereign debt obligations and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to inform and encourage conversation.

"Considerable attention exists in the topic but there is still lacking a debate," commented O’Toole. "Debate indicates an acknowledgement of the concept that there might be reasonable perspectives on each side."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate claim they prefer unity but reject greater financial contributions or introducing a alternative symbol to acknowledge pro-UK communities' UK heritage.

"The Irish government should work out what the offer from nationalist groups is other than just declaring: 'We seek a unified Ireland and we love you'," remarked the commentator.

Possibility of Referendum

The journalist thinks a referendum in his generation is possible and that it might occur abruptly. "You could have just a mad or a ill-advised or a negligent secretary of state who states: 'Let us proceed and resolve it.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have plausible, valid perspectives, he said. "One side will win here and somebody will in the end lose but each side has possesses something to learn from the other's positions."

Request for More Extensive Debate

Westminster needed to engage with the dialogue, stated the analyst. "This is about the United Kingdom. It's a British question as much as it is an Irish issue."