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Ten years following the UK entered into a hasty referendum that polarised the nation and caused chaos, a warning is issued from across the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

The government and citizens sleepwalked into Brexit and the identical could occur with a referendum on a united Ireland, triggering convulsions for which nobody is prepared.

That conveys the caution from two respected commentators from each side of the Irish border who have joined forces to scrutinise the benefits and drawbacks of Northern Ireland departing the UK to form a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Establishments Unprepared

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are extremely ill-prepared for a potentially tense and seismic public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that developments can come out of the blue and can gain traction rapidly," O’Toole remarked. "I would suggest that the institutional structure of our archipelago remains highly fragile."

Book Publication Aims to Provoke Discussion

The duo have examined the governmental, financial and societal arguments for any governmental shift in a book, The Case For and Against Unification, published by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the topic with a tour of speaking events that will take them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What concerns everybody, or ought to concern all involved, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," commented the analyst.

"We do not want a national vote on a yes-no, vague proposition whose implications have not been spelled out because then you land with an extraordinarily polarised community where the losing side are resistant to losing and the victorious side are uncertain exactly what it is that they have gained."

Constitutional Provision

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unity if it is indicated that a majority would approve.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists argue that moment is looming, and a group named pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions downplay the prospect, resulting in ambiguity if and when there could be a national vote.

Absence of Serious Debate

Political rhetoric supporting and opposing unification has masked the lack of serious debate, stated McBride.

"People tend to be for or against the idea but the concrete planning which might go beyond that to realise it is mostly absent. A lot has occurred in universities but scarcely any politicians or campaigners are willing to participate with the fundamentals. To illustrate, which kind of country should be desired? Centralised? Federal?"

Volume's Strategy

In the publication, no writer advocates unification or the existing arrangement. Both writes two pieces that aim for neutrality in presenting the argument for a united Ireland and the rationale opposing it, marshalling economic and societal figures, previous instances and governmental frameworks.

Debates cover national emblems, levies, medical care, pensions, public liabilities and the risk of unionist unrest. The objective is to inform and provoke conversation.

"There's huge interest in the topic but there is still lacking a dialogue," commented the writer. "Discussion implies an recognition of the idea that there may exist reasonable perspectives on each side."

Dual Referendums

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where the electorate claim they support unification but reject increased taxation or introducing a alternative symbol to reflect unionists' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin must work out what the plan from nationalist groups is aside from just stating: 'We want a unified Ireland and we value you'," remarked the commentator.

Possibility of Public Vote

McBride considers a referendum in his generation is likely and that it could happen suddenly. "There might be just a reckless or a poor or a feckless government minister who states: 'Let us proceed and settle the matter.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have credible, justified points, he commented. "Somebody will prevail here and the other side will ultimately lose but each side has got important lessons to learn from the other's positions."

Call for Broader Discussion

Westminster must participate in the debate, said the analyst. "This involves your state. It is a British issue just as much as it is an Irish issue."