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A decade following the UK embarked on a rushed referendum that polarised the nation and unleashed turmoil, a advisory comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and electorate sleepwalked into Brexit and the similar may happen with a referendum on a unified Ireland, sparking upheavals for which no one is ready.

That represents the warning from two respected journalists from each 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 Institutions Ill-Equipped

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have found that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are gravely unready for a possibly fraught and seismic referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that events can emerge unexpectedly and can build support rapidly," the commentator remarked. "In my opinion that the institutional structure of our archipelago remains very unstable."

New Title Intends to Provoke Discussion

The pair have analysed the political, economic and cultural reasons for any governmental shift in a volume, For and Against a United Ireland, published by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the topic with a roadshow of lectures that will bring them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What haunts everyone, or ought to concern every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," stated O’Toole.

"We must avoid a national vote on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose implications have not been spelled out because then you end up with an extraordinarily divided society where the losing side are resistant to losing and the people who have won lack clarity precisely what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland government minister should call a referendum on Irish unification if it appears likely that a most voters would vote in favour.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups say such a time is imminent, and a non-profit named Ireland’s Future has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions downplay the prospect, making it uncertain whether or when there will be a national vote.

Absence of Informed Dialogue

Partisan language supporting and opposing unity has hidden the lack of informed dialogue, said McBride.

"Many are supportive or opposed the concept but the concrete planning which may surpass that to achieve it has largely not occurred. A great deal has taken place in scholarly circles but scarcely any politicians or campaigners seek to involve themselves even with the fundamentals. As an example, what sort of state might be preferred? Unitary? Federal?"

Publication's Method

In the book, none of the commentators endorses unification or the current situation. Both composes two articles that strive for neutrality in laying out the rationale for a united Ireland and the case against, gathering financial and societal statistics, historical precedents and structural examples.

Debates encompass identity markers, duties, medical care, elderly benefits, national debt responsibilities and the danger of unionist unrest. The goal is to educate and stimulate discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the subject but there hasn't quite been a discussion," said the writer. "Dialogue implies an acceptance of the idea that there might be valid points on each side."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the republic, where citizens report they favour unity but oppose increased taxation or adopting a alternative symbol to reflect unionists' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin must establish what the offer from Irish nationalism is beyond just stating: 'We seek a united Ireland and we value you'," stated the commentator.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride considers a national vote in his lifetime is possible and that it could happen unexpectedly. "There might be just a irresponsible or a poor or a incompetent official who declares: 'Let's just do this and settle the matter.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, valid perspectives, he commented. "Somebody will win on this issue and the other side will in the end not succeed but each side has has valuable insights to learn from the opposing arguments."

Appeal for Broader Discussion

Westminster needed to participate in the discussion, urged O’Toole. "This concerns Britain. It's a UK matter equally as it is an Irish matter."