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A decade after the UK stumbled into a hasty public vote that split the nation and unleashed chaos, a advisory comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

The government and voters entered unwittingly Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering disturbances for which no one is ready.

That represents the warning from two prominent writers from both sides of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to create a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Establishments Not Ready

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have found that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully unprepared for a possibly tense and transformative public vote.

"The lesson of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that stuff can emerge unexpectedly and can build support very quickly," the commentator remarked. "In my opinion that the political architecture of our archipelago remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have studied the political, economic and cultural arguments for any structural alteration in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the topic with a series of speaking events that will take them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

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

"We should prevent a national vote on a binary, ambiguous question whose results have not been spelled out because then you find yourself with an extraordinarily polarised community where those defeated are resistant to defeat and the victorious side are uncertain precisely what it is that they have won."

Constitutional Provision

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

Sinn Féin and other nationalists claim such a time is approaching, and a group named pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but both governments and pro-UK factions downplay the prospect, resulting in ambiguity whether or when there could be a referendum.

Lack of Informed Dialogue

Partisan language supporting and opposing unification has hidden the absence of serious debate, stated McBride.

"Individuals are often for or against the idea but the concrete planning which could extend past that to achieve it has largely not occurred. A great deal has occurred in universities but very few government figures or activists seek to involve themselves even with the essentials. For instance, which kind of country might be preferred? Centralised? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the volume, none of the commentators advocates unification or the current situation. Both authors two articles that aim for impartiality in presenting the case for a unified Ireland and the rationale opposing it, assembling financial and social figures, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Debates range over identity markers, levies, medical care, retirement funds, sovereign debt obligations and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The goal is to inform and provoke dialogue.

"Considerable attention exists in the issue but there has not yet occurred a debate," stated the writer. "Dialogue implies an recognition of the idea that there could be good arguments on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where citizens claim they support unification but reject increased taxation or adopting a different emblem to recognise unionists' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland should establish what the plan from pro-unification movements is aside from just saying: 'We seek a united Ireland and we value you'," remarked O’Toole.

Likelihood of Referendum

McBride thinks a national vote in his generation is possible and that it could happen suddenly. "It is possible just a reckless or a ill-advised or a feckless official who says: 'We should proceed and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have plausible, valid arguments, he said. "One side will prevail here and somebody will eventually not succeed but each side has got valuable insights to acquire from the other's arguments."

Request for More Extensive Debate

Westminster should engage with the discussion, urged O’Toole. "This concerns the United Kingdom. It is a British question as much as it is an Irish question."