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A decade after the UK stumbled into a hasty public vote that polarised the nation and triggered turmoil, a warning is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

Authorities and electorate entered unwittingly Brexit and the same might transpire with a national vote on a unified Ireland, initiating convulsions for which no one is ready.

That conveys the caution from two prominent commentators from both sides of the Irish border who have teamed up to scrutinise the benefits and drawbacks of Northern Ireland departing the UK to create a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Institutions Unprepared

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have determined that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully unready for a possibly contentious and seismic referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that events can arise suddenly and can gain traction rapidly," O’Toole remarked. "I would suggest that the political architecture of our region remains highly fragile."

New Title Seeks to Stir Debate

The pair have examined the political, financial and cultural rationales for any governmental shift in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to provoke discussion on the matter with a tour of lectures that will bring them to Westminster early next month.

"What troubles all parties, or must worry every person, is the Brexit vote of 2016," commented O’Toole.

"We must avoid a national vote on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose consequences have not been spelled out because then you find yourself with an extremely divided society where the losing side are resistant to defeat and the victorious side don't know precisely what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a referendum on Irish unification if it appears likely that a majority would vote in favour.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists claim such a time is imminent, and a group named pro-unification advocates has built momentum, but both governments and unionists play down the prospect, leaving it unclear if and when there might be a national vote.

Insufficient Serious Debate

Political rhetoric for and against unification has obscured the absence of informed dialogue, noted the journalist.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the concept but the concrete planning which may surpass that to achieve it is mostly absent. Much has occurred in universities but hardly any government figures or campaigners seek to involve themselves with even the essentials. To illustrate, what type of nation should be desired? Centralised? Federal?"

Volume's Strategy

In the book, none of the commentators supports unity or the current situation. Both writes two pieces that aim for neutrality in presenting the case for a united Ireland and the case opposing it, assembling economic and societal data, past examples and governmental frameworks.

Discussions encompass national emblems, taxes, healthcare systems, pensions, national debt responsibilities and the danger of unionist unrest. The aim is to educate and stimulate discussion.

"There is significant curiosity in the topic but there is still lacking a discussion," commented O’Toole. "Dialogue suggests an acknowledgement of the notion that there might be reasonable perspectives on both sides."

Dual Referendums

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where citizens claim they prefer unity but refuse greater financial contributions or adopting a alternative symbol to acknowledge unionists' British culture.

"Policymakers in Ireland must determine what the offer from nationalist groups is aside from just stating: 'We desire a united Ireland and we love you'," remarked the commentator.

Probability of Public Vote

The journalist considers a referendum in his era is likely and that it may take place unexpectedly. "It is possible just a mad or a bad or a incompetent official who states: 'We should proceed and resolve it.'"

Each of the nationalists and unionists have credible, justified arguments, he commented. "One side will prevail here and the other side will in the end lose but each side has possesses important lessons to learn from the alternative viewpoints."

Appeal for More Extensive Discussion

Westminster needed to join the debate, stated the analyst. "This is about Britain. It's a British issue as much as it is an Irish issue."