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A decade after the UK entered into a hasty referendum that divided the nation and unleashed chaos, a caution emerges from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

Authorities and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the identical could occur with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking upheavals for which no one is prepared.

That represents the warning from two prominent journalists from both sides of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland departing the UK to establish a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Political Institutions Unprepared

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are extremely unready for a possibly contentious and monumental referendum.

"The crucial insight of Brexit has gone unabsorbed, which is that events can emerge unexpectedly and can gain traction rapidly," the commentator remarked. "In my opinion that the governmental framework of our archipelago remains very unstable."

Released Volume Seeks to Provoke Discussion

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

They aim to stir debate on the topic with a tour of lectures that will lead them to Westminster soon.

"What haunts everybody, or ought to concern everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," commented the analyst.

"We must avoid a referendum on a yes-no, vague proposition whose results have not been spelled out because then you find yourself with an extremely divided society where those defeated are not reconciled to losing and the those successful lack clarity exactly what it is that they have gained."

Constitutional Provision

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland secretary of state should call a public vote on Irish unification if it is indicated that a majority would vote in favour.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups say this point is approaching, and a non-profit named pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and pro-UK factions play down the likelihood, leaving it unclear whether or when there might be a national vote.

Lack of Substantive Discussion

Partisan language supporting and opposing unification has masked the lack of serious debate, noted the journalist.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the notion but the detailed consideration which could extend past that to make it possible is mostly absent. Much has occurred in academia but very few elected officials or advocates want to engage with even the fundamentals. To illustrate, what sort of state should be desired? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Volume's Strategy

In the publication, none of the commentators advocates unification or the existing arrangement. Each authors two articles that strive for objectivity in laying out the argument for a unified Ireland and the argument opposing it, gathering economic and social data, past examples and constitutional models.

Arguments encompass national emblems, duties, medical care, elderly benefits, national debt responsibilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The aim is to enlighten and encourage conversation.

"There's huge interest in the subject but there is still lacking a dialogue," stated O’Toole. "Discussion indicates an recognition of the idea that there might be reasonable perspectives on each side."

Parallel Votes

A public vote in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where the electorate say they favour unity but reject increased taxation or implementing a alternative symbol to acknowledge unionists' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin does need to determine what the offer from Irish nationalism is aside from just declaring: 'We desire a united Ireland and we value you'," stated the commentator.

Probability of Public Vote

The journalist considers a referendum in his lifetime is possible and that it could happen unexpectedly. "You could have just a irresponsible or a bad or a incompetent government minister who says: 'Let's just do this and settle the matter.'"

Each of the nationalists and unionists have credible, justified points, he said. "One side will succeed in this matter and somebody will ultimately not succeed but each side has has important lessons to learn from the opposing arguments."

Call for Wider Discussion

Westminster needed to join the dialogue, urged O’Toole. "This involves the United Kingdom. It's a UK matter as much as it is an Irish matter."