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A decade after the UK stumbled into a hasty public vote that polarised the nation and caused disorder, a advisory emerges from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

Policymakers and electorate entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar could occur with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking disturbances for which no one is ready.

That is the message from two respected journalists from both sides of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to form a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Institutions Not Ready

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the political establishments in Ireland and Britain are gravely ill-prepared for a potentially fraught and seismic referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that events can come out of the blue and can build support rapidly," O’Toole remarked. "In my opinion that the institutional structure of our islands remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The pair have analysed the governmental, financial and cultural arguments for any governmental shift in a volume, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the matter with a tour of speaking events that will lead them to Westminster early next month.

"What troubles everyone, or must worry every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said the analyst.

"We should prevent a referendum on a binary, vague proposition whose implications have remained undefined because then you find yourself with an highly polarised community where people who have lost are resistant to defeat and the those successful are uncertain precisely what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unification if it seems probable that a most voters would approve.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups say this point is approaching, and a organisation called Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but both governments and pro-UK factions minimise the prospect, leaving it unclear if and when there will be a referendum.

Absence of Serious Debate

Ideological statements supporting and opposing unity has masked the shortage of informed dialogue, stated McBride.

"People tend to be for or against the idea but the actual thinking which might go beyond that to make it possible hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has occurred in universities but very few elected officials or advocates are willing to participate with even the fundamentals. To illustrate, what type of nation would you want? Centralised? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the book, no writer supports unity or the status quo. Each composes two articles that strive for objectivity in presenting the argument for a united Ireland and the case opposing it, gathering economic and social figures, historical precedents and governmental frameworks.

Debates cover identity markers, levies, health services, retirement funds, national debt responsibilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The aim is to inform and stimulate discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the issue but there hasn't quite been a dialogue," said the writer. "Discussion suggests an recognition of the concept that there may exist valid points on both sides."

Parallel Votes

A referendum in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the Republic of Ireland, where voters report they favour unification but refuse greater financial contributions or adopting a alternative symbol to reflect unionists' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland should establish what the proposal from Irish nationalism is beyond just stating: 'We want a united Ireland and we welcome you'," remarked O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

McBride thinks a referendum in his lifetime is possible and that it might occur suddenly. "You could have just a mad or a poor or a feckless government minister who states: 'Let us proceed and settle the matter.'"

Both nationalists and pro-UK supporters have plausible, valid perspectives, he said. "Somebody will prevail in this matter and somebody will ultimately lose but each side has possesses something to gain from the other's viewpoints."

Appeal for Wider Debate

Westminster needed to participate in the dialogue, stated O’Toole. "This involves the United Kingdom. It's a British question just as much as it is an Irish question."