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A decade after the UK entered into a rushed public vote that polarised the nation and triggered turmoil, a advisory emerges from beyond the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

The government and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar may happen with a referendum on a united Ireland, initiating upheavals for which no one is equipped.

That conveys the caution from two prominent writers from each side of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland departing the UK to establish a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Structures Unprepared

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the political establishments in Ireland and Britain are woefully ill-prepared for a potentially contentious and monumental referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that developments can emerge unexpectedly and can gather momentum rapidly," the commentator stated. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our region remains very unstable."

New Title Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The team have studied the governmental, economic and cultural rationales for any governmental shift in a publication, Examining Irish Unification, issued by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

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

"What troubles everybody, or ought to concern everybody, is the Brexit vote of 2016," said O’Toole.

"We must avoid a referendum on a yes-no, vague proposition whose consequences have remained undefined because then you find yourself with an highly split population where people who have lost are resistant to defeat and the those successful don't know quite what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland government minister should call a public vote on Irish unification if it is indicated that a most voters would support.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups argue such a time is looming, and a organisation named Ireland’s Future has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists play down the prospect, leaving it unclear whether or when there could be a referendum.

Insufficient Serious Debate

Political rhetoric for and against unification has obscured the lack of substantive discussion, said the journalist.

"Many are supportive or opposed the notion but the concrete planning which could extend past that to realise it is mostly absent. A lot has gone on in academia but hardly any elected officials or advocates want to engage with even the basics. To illustrate, what sort of state would you want? Centralised? Federal?"

Volume's Strategy

In the book, none of the commentators advocates unification or the existing arrangement. They authors two articles that aim for objectivity in detailing the case for a unified Ireland and the argument opposing it, assembling financial and social figures, historical precedents and structural examples.

Discussions cover identity markers, taxes, medical care, retirement funds, sovereign debt obligations and the danger of unionist unrest. The goal is to enlighten and encourage discussion.

"There's huge interest in the subject but there has not yet occurred a dialogue," said O’Toole. "Dialogue indicates an acknowledgement of the notion that there might be valid points on either side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate say they support unity but oppose increased taxation or adopting a alternative symbol to acknowledge unionists' British culture.

"Policymakers in Ireland must determine what the offer from pro-unification movements is beyond just stating: 'We want a unified Ireland and we value you'," stated O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride thinks a referendum in his generation is possible and that it might occur suddenly. "There might be just a mad or a bad or a incompetent official who says: 'We should proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Each of the nationalists and pro-UK supporters have plausible, legitimate points, he said. "One side will prevail in this matter and somebody will eventually be defeated but all factions has has something to gain from the other's arguments."

Call for Broader Dialogue

Westminster must engage with the debate, stated the analyst. "This is about the United Kingdom. It's a UK matter just as much as it is an Irish issue."