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A decade following the UK embarked on a rushed public vote that polarised the country and caused turmoil, a caution emerges from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

The government and electorate entered unwittingly Brexit and the same may happen with a referendum on a unified Ireland, triggering convulsions for which no one is equipped.

That represents the warning from two prominent journalists from each side of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Structures Not Ready

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are gravely ill-prepared for a potentially tense and monumental public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that events can come out of the blue and can build support rapidly," the commentator remarked. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our region remains very unstable."

Released Volume Intends to Stir Debate

The team have analysed the political, economic and societal reasons for any constitutional change in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, issued by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

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

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

"We must avoid a national vote on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose consequences have remained undefined because then you find yourself with an extraordinarily polarised community where people who have lost are not reconciled to losing and the people who have won lack clarity quite what it is that they have won."

Legal Framework

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland government minister is obliged to schedule a public vote on Irish unification if it appears likely that a majority would vote in favour.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists argue this point is imminent, and a organisation named pro-unification advocates has built momentum, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists downplay the possibility, resulting in ambiguity if and when there might be a national vote.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Political rhetoric supporting and opposing unification has masked the shortage of informed dialogue, noted McBride.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the notion but the detailed consideration which could extend past that to make it possible is mostly absent. A great deal has gone on in scholarly circles but scarcely any government figures or campaigners are willing to participate with the fundamentals. As an example, what type of nation might be preferred? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the book, no writer advocates unification or the existing arrangement. Both writes two pieces that seek impartiality in detailing the argument for a unified Ireland and the rationale opposing it, marshalling economic and social data, previous instances and governmental frameworks.

Arguments encompass national emblems, duties, health services, elderly benefits, national debt responsibilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The goal is to educate and provoke discussion.

"There's huge interest in the issue but there hasn't quite been a dialogue," said the writer. "Dialogue suggests an acknowledgement of the notion that there could be valid points on either side."

Dual Referendums

A referendum in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate say they support unity but oppose increased taxation or adopting a different emblem to acknowledge unionists' British culture.

"The Irish government does need to determine what the offer from pro-unification movements is beyond just saying: 'We seek a unified Ireland and we love you'," said O’Toole.

Possibility of Public Vote

The journalist considers a referendum in his generation is possible and that it may take place unexpectedly. "There might be just a reckless or a bad or a feckless official who states: 'Let's just do this and resolve it.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and unionists have plausible, justified arguments, he stated. "Somebody will win in this matter and somebody will eventually lose but both parties has possesses something to gain from the alternative arguments."

Appeal for Broader Debate

Westminster must participate in the dialogue, stated the analyst. "This is about the United Kingdom. It's a British issue equally as it is an Irish question."