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Ten years following the UK entered into a rushed referendum that divided the nation and triggered disorder, a caution comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

The government and voters entered unwittingly Brexit and the same might transpire with a referendum on a united Ireland, initiating convulsions for which no one is ready.

That conveys the caution from two prominent commentators from each side of the Irish border who have collaborated to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Structures Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have found that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are extremely ill-prepared for a possibly tense and monumental referendum.

"The crucial insight of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that stuff can come out of the blue and can gather momentum swiftly," the commentator said. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our islands remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The team have studied the political, financial and societal reasons for any structural alteration in a publication, For and Against a United Ireland, published by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the issue with a roadshow of speaking events that will bring them to Westminster soon.

"What concerns all parties, or must worry everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said O’Toole.

"We must avoid a referendum on a binary, ambiguous question whose consequences have not been clarified because then you land with an extraordinarily split population where people who have lost are not reconciled to losing and the those successful don't know exactly what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official should call a public vote on Irish unity if it seems probable that a most voters would support.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups say this point is looming, and a organisation called pro-unification advocates has built momentum, but both governments and pro-UK factions play down the possibility, leaving it unclear whether or when there might be a national vote.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Partisan language for and against unity has hidden the lack of informed dialogue, said the journalist.

"People tend to be for or against the concept but the concrete planning which could extend past that to realise it hasn't for the most part happened. A great deal has occurred in scholarly circles but very few government figures or activists want to engage even with the essentials. As an example, which kind of country might be preferred? Unitary? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the volume, no writer advocates unification or the status quo. They composes two pieces that aim for impartiality in laying out the case for a united Ireland and the case against, marshalling economic and social figures, previous instances and constitutional models.

Arguments encompass identity markers, duties, health services, retirement funds, sovereign debt obligations and the threat of loyalist violence. The goal is to educate and provoke conversation.

"There is significant curiosity in the subject but there is still lacking a discussion," said O’Toole. "Discussion suggests an acknowledgement of the concept that there could be 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 unity but reject increased taxation or adopting a alternative symbol to recognise unionists' UK heritage.

"Policymakers in Ireland does need to work out what the proposal from Irish nationalism is other than just declaring: 'We desire a united Ireland and we value you'," remarked O’Toole.

Likelihood of Public Vote

McBride thinks a referendum in his lifetime is likely and that it could happen abruptly. "It is possible just a irresponsible or a poor or a feckless government minister who says: 'Let's just do this and get it out of the way.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and unionists have reasonable, justified perspectives, he said. "One side will succeed on this issue and the other side will ultimately be defeated but each side has has something to gain from the opposing arguments."

Call for Broader Discussion

Westminster must participate in the debate, said O’Toole. "This concerns your state. It's a British issue just as much as it is an Irish matter."