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A decade after the UK stumbled into a hurried referendum that polarised the nation and triggered turmoil, a advisory is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

Authorities and citizens drifted into Brexit and the similar might transpire with a referendum on a unified Ireland, initiating upheavals for which nobody is ready.

That represents the warning from two prominent journalists from each side of the Irish border who have collaborated to analyse the pros and cons of Northern Ireland leaving the UK to create a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Structures Ill-Equipped

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have determined that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are gravely unprepared for a potentially contentious and monumental referendum.

"The crucial insight of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that developments can arise suddenly and can gather momentum very quickly," the commentator said. "I would suggest that the institutional structure of our region remains very unstable."

New Title Aims to Provoke Discussion

The team have studied the political, economic and cultural arguments for any governmental shift in a volume, For and Against a United Ireland, issued by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to provoke discussion on the issue with a roadshow of speaking events that will take them to Westminster soon.

"What troubles everyone, or must worry all involved, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," stated O’Toole.

"We must avoid a referendum on a binary, ambiguous question whose implications have not been spelled out because then you land with an extraordinarily divided society where those defeated are not reconciled to losing and the victorious side don't know exactly what it is that they have won."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unity if it is indicated that a majority would approve.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists say such a time is looming, and a organisation named Ireland’s Future has garnered backing, but both governments and unionists minimise the likelihood, making it uncertain whether or when there might be a referendum.

Lack of Serious Debate

Political rhetoric for and against unity has hidden the absence of serious debate, said the journalist.

"Many are for or against the concept but the concrete planning which might go beyond that to achieve it hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has occurred in universities but scarcely any politicians or campaigners seek to involve themselves with even the basics. For instance, which kind of country might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Volume's Strategy

In the volume, no writer endorses unity or the existing arrangement. They writes two pieces that seek impartiality in presenting the rationale for a unified Ireland and the case against, marshalling financial and social statistics, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Arguments encompass national emblems, duties, health services, pensions, public liabilities and the danger of loyalist violence. The objective is to enlighten and provoke dialogue.

"There's huge interest in the topic but there has not yet occurred a discussion," commented the writer. "Discussion implies an acceptance of the concept that there could be good arguments on either side."

Dual Referendums

A referendum in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the Republic of Ireland, where the electorate claim they support unity but reject greater financial contributions or implementing a different emblem to recognise unionists' British identity.

"Authorities in Dublin should establish what the offer from Irish nationalism is aside from just declaring: 'We desire a united Ireland and we love you'," stated the commentator.

Probability of Referendum

McBride considers a referendum in his generation is possible and that it might occur abruptly. "It is possible just a reckless or a poor or a negligent secretary of state who says: 'We should proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have reasonable, valid perspectives, he commented. "One side will succeed on this issue and somebody will ultimately not succeed but both parties has possesses important lessons to acquire from the alternative positions."

Call for Broader Debate

Westminster must join the debate, said O’Toole. "This involves your state. It is a British issue just as much as it is an Irish question."