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A decade after the UK embarked on a hurried public vote that divided the nation and caused disorder, a advisory emerges from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and electorate entered unwittingly Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking disturbances for which nobody is ready.

That is the message from two respected journalists from either side of the Irish border who have collaborated to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland departing the UK to establish a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Not Ready

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, 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 developments can come out of the blue and can gather momentum rapidly," the commentator said. "It is my view that the governmental framework of our islands remains very unstable."

New Title Aims to Provoke Discussion

The pair have analysed the political, financial and cultural reasons for any constitutional change in a book, Examining Irish Unification, published by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to provoke discussion on the matter with a tour of public talks that will bring them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What haunts all parties, or ought to concern every person, is the Brexit vote of 2016," commented O’Toole.

"We must avoid a referendum on a binary, unclear proposal whose consequences have not been spelled out because then you land with an highly polarised community where people who have lost are resistant to losing and the those successful don't know exactly what it is that they have gained."

Constitutional Provision

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official is obliged to schedule a referendum on Irish unity if it is indicated that a most voters would support.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists argue that moment is approaching, and a organisation named Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but both governments and unionists play down the possibility, making it uncertain if and when there will be a referendum.

Insufficient Serious Debate

Partisan language supporting and opposing unification has masked the lack of informed dialogue, noted McBride.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the idea but the detailed consideration which could extend past that to realise it has largely not occurred. A great deal has occurred in scholarly circles but hardly any politicians or advocates want to engage with even the essentials. As an example, what sort of state might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, neither author advocates unification or the current situation. Each writes two articles that seek neutrality in detailing the rationale for a unified Ireland and the argument opposing it, assembling financial and societal statistics, previous instances and constitutional models.

Debates range over flags and symbols, taxes, health services, retirement funds, sovereign debt obligations and the threat of unionist unrest. The objective is to inform and provoke discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the subject but there is still lacking a dialogue," said the writer. "Dialogue indicates an acknowledgement of the idea that there may exist reasonable perspectives on each side."

Dual Referendums

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where the electorate say they prefer unification but reject paying higher taxes or implementing a different emblem to reflect unionists' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland should work out what the offer from nationalist groups is other than just saying: 'We seek a united Ireland and we value you'," stated the commentator.

Probability of Public Vote

McBride believes a referendum in his generation is likely and that it might occur suddenly. "You could have just a reckless or a poor or a negligent secretary of state who states: 'Let us proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and unionists have credible, valid arguments, he commented. "One side will prevail here and the other side will ultimately not succeed but both parties has possesses valuable insights to learn from the alternative viewpoints."

Call for More Extensive Dialogue

Westminster should participate in the discussion, said O’Toole. "This is about Britain. It is a UK matter as much as it is an Irish matter."