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Ten years after the UK stumbled into a hurried public vote that divided the country and unleashed chaos, a caution is issued from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

The government and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar might transpire with a referendum on a united Ireland, triggering upheavals for which nobody is equipped.

That represents the warning from two prominent journalists from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to scrutinise the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Institutions Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have found that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a potentially contentious and seismic public vote.

"The lesson of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that developments can emerge unexpectedly and can build support rapidly," the commentator remarked. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our islands remains highly fragile."

New Title Intends to Stir Debate

The duo have studied the governmental, financial and cultural reasons for any constitutional change in a publication, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to stir debate on the matter with a series of lectures that will lead them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What concerns everyone, or ought to concern every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said the analyst.

"We must avoid a referendum on a thumbs up-thumbs down, vague proposition whose consequences have remained undefined because then you end up with an extraordinarily divided society where people who have lost are resistant to losing and the those successful lack clarity quite what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a referendum on Irish unification if it seems probable that a most voters would support.

Nationalist parties and other pro-unification groups argue this point is imminent, and a organisation called Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions minimise the likelihood, leaving it unclear if and when there might be a referendum.

Lack of Informed Dialogue

Political rhetoric supporting and opposing unification has obscured the lack of substantive discussion, stated the journalist.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the idea but the detailed consideration which may surpass that to make it possible has largely not occurred. A lot has gone on in academia but scarcely any elected officials or campaigners want to engage with even the basics. To illustrate, what type of nation should be desired? Centralised? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, no writer endorses unity or the status quo. They composes two articles that aim for impartiality in presenting the argument for a unified Ireland and the case against, gathering economic and social figures, previous instances and structural examples.

Debates cover flags and symbols, taxes, healthcare systems, pensions, sovereign debt obligations and the risk of loyalist violence. The objective is to inform and provoke discussion.

"There is significant curiosity in the subject but there hasn't quite been a discussion," commented O’Toole. "Discussion implies an acceptance of the notion that there could be good arguments on both sides."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the Republic of Ireland, where citizens report they favour unity but refuse increased taxation or implementing a different emblem to recognise unionists' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland must establish what the plan from Irish nationalism is other than just saying: 'We seek a united Ireland and we value you'," remarked the commentator.

Likelihood of Public Vote

The journalist believes a referendum in his generation is possible and that it could happen abruptly. "It is possible just a reckless or a bad or a negligent official who states: 'Let's just do this and resolve it.'"

Both nationalists and unionists have credible, legitimate points, he commented. "One side will prevail on this issue and the other side will ultimately lose but both parties has possesses important lessons to learn from the opposing arguments."

Appeal for Broader Debate

Westminster should engage with the debate, stated O’Toole. "This involves the United Kingdom. It is a British question as much as it is an Irish question."