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Ten years following the UK stumbled into a hurried referendum that polarised the nation and caused chaos, a advisory is issued from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

Authorities and citizens sleepwalked into Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a unified Ireland, initiating upheavals for which no one is ready.

That is the message from two prominent journalists from each side of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Establishments Unprepared

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

"The lesson of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that developments can emerge unexpectedly and can gather momentum rapidly," O’Toole stated. "I would suggest that the political architecture of our archipelago remains very unstable."

Released Volume Aims to Stir Debate

The duo have analysed the governmental, economic and cultural rationales for any structural alteration in a book, The Case For and Against Unification, released by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to encourage dialogue on the issue with a tour of speaking events that will lead them to Westminster soon.

"What haunts everyone, or must worry all involved, is the Brexit vote of 2016," commented the analyst.

"We must avoid a national vote on a thumbs up-thumbs down, unclear proposal whose implications have not been spelled out because then you land with an extremely divided society where the losing side are resistant to defeat and the people who have won are uncertain quite what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official is obliged to schedule a referendum on Irish unification if it is indicated that a most voters would support.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups argue such a time is imminent, and a group named pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions minimise the prospect, resulting in ambiguity when or if there might be a referendum.

Lack of Substantive Discussion

Partisan language for and against unity has obscured the absence of substantive discussion, noted the journalist.

"Individuals are often for or against the notion but the detailed consideration which may surpass that to make it possible 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 with the fundamentals. To illustrate, which kind of country might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Volume's Strategy

In the book, no writer advocates unification or the status quo. Both authors two articles that seek neutrality in laying out the case for a unified Ireland and the rationale opposing it, marshalling economic and social data, previous instances and structural examples.

Arguments cover national emblems, taxes, healthcare systems, pensions, national debt responsibilities and the risk of loyalist violence. The goal is to enlighten and stimulate conversation.

"There is significant curiosity in the topic but there hasn't quite been a debate," stated O’Toole. "Debate implies an acknowledgement of the notion that there might be reasonable perspectives on each side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would additionally cause one in the republic, where citizens report they support unification but reject increased taxation or implementing a new flag to acknowledge pro-UK communities' UK heritage.

"Policymakers in Ireland must work out what the plan from pro-unification movements is beyond just saying: 'We want a unified Ireland and we value you'," said the commentator.

Likelihood of Public Vote

The journalist thinks a referendum in his generation is likely and that it may take place unexpectedly. "You could have just a mad or a bad or a feckless secretary of state who states: 'We should proceed and settle the matter.'"

Both nationalists and unionists have reasonable, valid perspectives, he said. "One side will win on this issue and the other side will ultimately not succeed but both parties has has important lessons to gain from the opposing positions."

Call for Broader Dialogue

Westminster should engage with the dialogue, said the analyst. "This concerns your state. It is a UK matter equally as it is an Irish issue."