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A decade following the UK entered into a hasty referendum that polarised the country and triggered disorder, a warning emerges from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

The government and electorate drifted into Brexit and the identical may happen with a referendum on a unified Ireland, sparking upheavals for which nobody is prepared.

That conveys the caution from two leading journalists from both sides of the Irish border who have joined forces to scrutinise the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to create a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Establishments Not Ready

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have concluded that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are extremely ill-prepared for a potentially tense and monumental public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that developments can come out of the blue and can gain traction rapidly," O’Toole said. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our region remains highly fragile."

Book Publication Intends to Provoke Discussion

The duo have studied the political, economic and cultural rationales for any structural alteration in a publication, Examining Irish Unification, published by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the matter with a tour of public talks that will lead them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What concerns everyone, or must worry everybody, is the Brexit vote of 2016," said the analyst.

"We must avoid a national vote on a thumbs up-thumbs down, unclear proposal whose implications have not been clarified because then you find yourself with an extraordinarily divided society where people who have lost are not reconciled to defeat and the those successful are uncertain precisely what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a referendum on Irish unity if it is indicated that a majority would approve.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists claim such a time is imminent, and a group named pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and unionists minimise the likelihood, resulting in ambiguity if and when there might be a referendum.

Lack of Serious Debate

Ideological statements for and against unification has hidden the absence of informed dialogue, said McBride.

"Individuals are often for or against the notion but the concrete planning which might go beyond that to realise it is mostly absent. Much has gone on in scholarly circles but scarcely any elected officials or advocates seek to involve themselves even with the essentials. To illustrate, which kind of country might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Volume's Strategy

In the volume, no writer supports unity or the status quo. Each authors two pieces that aim for objectivity in laying out the case for a united Ireland and the rationale against, marshalling financial and societal figures, past examples and constitutional models.

Discussions range over flags and symbols, levies, health services, retirement funds, national debt responsibilities and the risk of unionist unrest. The goal is to inform and stimulate dialogue.

"There's huge interest in the subject but there hasn't quite been a discussion," said O’Toole. "Discussion suggests an recognition of the concept that there may exist good arguments on either side."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate say they prefer unification but oppose paying higher taxes or adopting a new flag to acknowledge unionists' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland should establish what the offer from Irish nationalism is beyond just saying: 'We want a united Ireland and we welcome you'," stated the commentator.

Likelihood of Referendum

The journalist considers a referendum in his era is probable and that it may take place abruptly. "You could have just a mad or a poor or a negligent secretary of state who states: 'We should proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have reasonable, valid perspectives, he commented. "Somebody will prevail here and somebody will in the end lose but all factions has possesses something to acquire from the opposing positions."

Appeal for More Extensive Discussion

Westminster must engage with the dialogue, stated O’Toole. "This is about Britain. It's a British question equally as it is an Irish question."