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Ten years following the UK embarked on a hurried public vote that divided the nation and unleashed chaos, a advisory is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and electorate sleepwalked into Brexit and the same may happen with a referendum on a unified Ireland, triggering disturbances for which nobody is equipped.

That represents the warning from two respected writers from both sides of the Irish border who have joined forces to scrutinise the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland leaving the UK to create a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have found that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are woefully unprepared for a possibly fraught and seismic referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that stuff can arise suddenly and can build support rapidly," O’Toole said. "I would suggest that the institutional structure of our islands remains very unstable."

Released Volume Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have analysed the political, financial and societal reasons for any governmental shift in a volume, The Case For and Against Unification, issued by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the topic with a series of lectures that will lead them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

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

"We must avoid a national vote on a binary, unclear proposal whose consequences have remained undefined because then you end up with an highly split population where the losing side are resistant to defeat and the those successful lack clarity quite what it is that they have achieved."

Constitutional Provision

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland government minister is obliged to schedule a public vote on Irish unification if it appears likely that a most voters would approve.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists argue that moment is imminent, and a organisation named Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but both governments and unionists minimise the possibility, making it uncertain whether or when there could be a national vote.

Lack of Informed Dialogue

Political rhetoric supporting and opposing unity has hidden the absence of serious debate, stated the journalist.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the idea but the concrete planning which may surpass that to make it possible has largely not occurred. A lot has gone on in scholarly circles but hardly any elected officials or activists are willing to participate with the essentials. For instance, what type of nation would you want? Centralised? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the volume, neither author supports unification or the existing arrangement. Both composes two essays that seek impartiality in laying out the case for a united Ireland and the case against, gathering economic and social statistics, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Debates cover national emblems, levies, healthcare systems, retirement funds, national debt responsibilities and the threat of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to inform and stimulate conversation.

"There is significant curiosity in the issue but there hasn't quite been a dialogue," commented the writer. "Dialogue indicates an recognition of the concept that there could be valid points on both sides."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where citizens say they prefer unification but refuse greater financial contributions or introducing a alternative symbol to reflect unionists' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland must establish what the plan from Irish nationalism is aside from just declaring: 'We want a united Ireland and we welcome you'," said O’Toole.

Possibility of Public Vote

McBride thinks a referendum in his lifetime is possible and that it could happen suddenly. "There might be just a irresponsible or a ill-advised or a negligent official who says: 'We should proceed and settle the matter.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and unionists have credible, justified points, he stated. "Somebody will succeed on this issue and somebody will ultimately be defeated but all factions has possesses something to learn from the opposing arguments."

Request for Wider Dialogue

Westminster must join the debate, stated O’Toole. "This is about the United Kingdom. It's a UK matter just as much as it is an Irish issue."