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A decade following the UK stumbled into a hurried public vote that polarised the country and unleashed turmoil, a warning is issued from across the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

The government and electorate sleepwalked into Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a united Ireland, triggering upheavals for which no one is ready.

That represents the warning from two leading commentators from both sides of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland departing the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Establishments Not Ready

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have found that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a possibly fraught and seismic referendum.

"The key takeaway of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that stuff can come out of the blue and can gain traction very quickly," the commentator said. "In my opinion that the political architecture of our archipelago remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Aims to Provoke Discussion

The pair have analysed the political, financial and cultural rationales for any structural alteration in a book, Examining Irish Unification, issued by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to encourage dialogue on the issue with a tour of lectures that will lead them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What concerns everybody, or should haunt everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," commented O’Toole.

"We do not want a national vote on a yes-no, unclear proposal whose results have not been clarified because then you find yourself with an extremely divided society where those defeated are resistant to defeat and the those successful are uncertain precisely what it is that they have achieved."

Constitutional Provision

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland government minister must arrange a public vote on Irish unification if it is indicated that a majority would approve.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists say that moment is looming, and a organisation named pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and unionists downplay the possibility, resulting in ambiguity whether or when there could be a referendum.

Absence of Serious Debate

Ideological statements for and against unity has obscured the lack of substantive discussion, stated the journalist.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the idea but the actual thinking which may surpass that to realise it hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has occurred in scholarly circles but hardly any elected officials or activists are willing to participate even with the basics. As an example, what sort of state might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the book, none of the commentators supports unification or the status quo. Each writes two essays that aim for objectivity in laying out the argument for a unified Ireland and the case opposing it, marshalling financial and societal data, past examples and constitutional models.

Discussions cover national emblems, levies, medical care, elderly benefits, public liabilities and the threat of loyalist violence. The goal is to inform and encourage conversation.

"There's huge interest in the topic but there hasn't quite been a debate," stated the writer. "Debate suggests an acknowledgement of the notion that there may exist valid points on both sides."

Dual Referendums

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate claim they favour unification but refuse increased taxation or implementing a alternative symbol to reflect unionists' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin must establish what the proposal from Irish nationalism is other than just declaring: 'We seek a unified Ireland and we value you'," stated the commentator.

Likelihood of Public Vote

The journalist considers a referendum in his generation is probable and that it could happen abruptly. "It is possible just a irresponsible or a poor or a negligent secretary of state who states: 'We should proceed and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, justified perspectives, he commented. "Somebody will prevail on this issue and the other side will ultimately be defeated but all factions has possesses valuable insights to acquire from the other's positions."

Request for Wider Debate

Westminster needed to participate in the dialogue, stated O’Toole. "This concerns your state. It is a British question equally as it is an Irish matter."