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A decade after the UK stumbled into a hasty public vote that divided the nation and triggered disorder, a advisory comes from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

The government and citizens sleepwalked into Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a unified Ireland, initiating disturbances for which nobody is equipped.

That is the message from two leading journalists from either side of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland leaving the UK to establish a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Institutions Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have determined that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully unprepared for a possibly contentious and transformative public vote.

"The crucial insight of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that stuff can emerge unexpectedly and can build support very quickly," the commentator stated. "I would suggest that the political architecture of our archipelago remains very unstable."

Book Publication Intends to Stir Debate

The team have analysed the political, financial and cultural reasons for any governmental shift in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the issue with a roadshow of speaking events that will lead them to Westminster soon.

"What concerns all parties, or must worry every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said the analyst.

"We must avoid a referendum on a yes-no, vague proposition whose consequences have not been spelled out because then you end up with an extremely split population where the losing side are resistant to losing and the those successful lack clarity exactly what it is that they have achieved."

Governmental Mandate

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

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups say this point is approaching, and a organisation called pro-unification advocates has built momentum, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions minimise the prospect, resulting in ambiguity when or if there will be a national vote.

Lack of Informed Dialogue

Ideological statements supporting and opposing unity has obscured the absence of informed dialogue, said McBride.

"Many are supportive or opposed the concept but the concrete planning which may surpass that to make it possible hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has occurred in academia but very few politicians or campaigners are willing to participate even with the fundamentals. For instance, what type of nation should be desired? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Volume's Strategy

In the book, no writer supports unity or the current situation. They composes two articles that aim for objectivity in laying out the case for a united Ireland and the case against, assembling financial and social data, past examples and structural examples.

Discussions encompass flags and symbols, taxes, medical care, elderly benefits, national debt responsibilities and the threat of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to inform and provoke dialogue.

"There is significant curiosity in the subject but there is still lacking a dialogue," said O’Toole. "Debate implies an recognition of the idea that there may exist good arguments on both sides."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the Republic of Ireland, where citizens report they favour unification but oppose paying higher taxes or introducing a different emblem to acknowledge unionists' British culture.

"The Irish government must establish what the proposal from Irish nationalism is other than just saying: 'We desire a united Ireland and we love you'," remarked O’Toole.

Likelihood of Public Vote

McBride considers a referendum in his era is likely and that it could happen suddenly. "There might be just a irresponsible or a poor or a incompetent government minister who says: 'Let us proceed and resolve it.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have credible, justified arguments, he stated. "Somebody will prevail here and somebody will eventually not succeed but both parties has got important lessons to learn from the alternative positions."

Call for Wider Debate

Westminster should engage with the dialogue, stated O’Toole. "This is about the United Kingdom. It is a British issue equally as it is an Irish matter."