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Ten years following the UK entered into a hurried public vote that polarised the country and triggered chaos, a warning comes from across the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

Authorities and voters entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar might transpire with a national vote on a unified Ireland, sparking disturbances for which no one is prepared.

That is the message from two prominent writers from both sides of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Institutions Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared 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 gain traction very quickly," the commentator said. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our archipelago remains very unstable."

Released Volume Aims to Stir Debate

The team have examined the governmental, financial and cultural rationales for any governmental shift in a book, Examining Irish Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to stir debate on the issue with a series of lectures that will lead them to Westminster early next month.

"What troubles all parties, or ought to concern all involved, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," commented the analyst.

"We must avoid a national vote on a binary, unclear proposal whose results have not been clarified because then you land with an highly polarised community where the losing side are not reconciled to defeat and the people who have won lack clarity exactly what it is that they have achieved."

Legal Framework

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland secretary of state must arrange a referendum on Irish unification if it is indicated that a most voters would support.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups argue that moment is approaching, and a non-profit named Ireland’s Future has rallied support, but both governments and unionists minimise the likelihood, leaving it unclear if and when there might be a referendum.

Lack of Informed Dialogue

Partisan language supporting and opposing unity has masked the lack of serious debate, said the journalist.

"People tend to be supportive or opposed the idea but the concrete planning which might go beyond that to achieve it is mostly absent. A great deal has occurred in universities but very few government figures or advocates seek to involve themselves with even the basics. To illustrate, what sort of state might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Publication's Method

In the volume, none of the commentators endorses unity or the status quo. Both composes two articles that seek impartiality in detailing the rationale for a united Ireland and the rationale against, assembling financial and social figures, past examples and structural examples.

Discussions cover national emblems, taxes, healthcare systems, retirement funds, public liabilities and the threat of unionist unrest. The goal is to enlighten and stimulate discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the topic but there is still lacking a dialogue," said the writer. "Dialogue implies an acceptance of the concept that there might be reasonable perspectives on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A public vote in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate say they favour unification but reject increased taxation or implementing a different emblem to recognise unionists' British culture.

"The Irish government must determine what the offer from Irish nationalism is aside from just stating: 'We desire a united Ireland and we love you'," stated O’Toole.

Possibility of Public Vote

The journalist thinks a national vote in his era is possible and that it may take place unexpectedly. "It is possible just a irresponsible or a poor or a feckless secretary of state who declares: 'Let us proceed and resolve it.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and unionists have plausible, valid arguments, he said. "Somebody will succeed here and the other side will ultimately lose but all factions has has something to learn from the other's viewpoints."

Request for More Extensive Discussion

Westminster needed to join the debate, stated O’Toole. "This is about Britain. It's a British question as much as it is an Irish matter."