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Ten years following the UK entered into a hasty public vote that split the country and caused disorder, a warning comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Authorities and electorate drifted into Brexit and the same may happen with a national vote on a united Ireland, sparking convulsions for which no one is equipped.

That represents the warning from two respected writers from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to create a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Unprepared

The author and columnist and Sam McBride, have found that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a potentially fraught and transformative public vote.

"The crucial insight of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that stuff can come out of the blue and can build support very quickly," the commentator said. "I would suggest that the governmental framework of our archipelago remains very unstable."

Book Publication Intends to Encourage Dialogue

The duo have studied the political, economic and cultural rationales for any structural alteration in a book, For and Against a United Ireland, published by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the topic with a series of public talks that will bring them to Westminster early next month.

"What haunts everyone, or should haunt everybody, is the Brexit vote of 2016," stated O’Toole.

"We should prevent a referendum on a binary, ambiguous question whose implications have remained undefined because then you end up with an highly divided society where those defeated are unable to accept losing and the people who have won lack clarity precisely what it is that they have won."

Constitutional Provision

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland secretary of state is obliged to schedule a referendum on Irish unity if it seems probable that a most voters would vote in favour.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups argue this point is imminent, and a non-profit called Ireland’s Future has built momentum, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists play down the possibility, leaving it unclear whether or when there could be a national vote.

Absence of Serious Debate

Ideological statements for and against unity has masked the shortage of serious debate, said McBride.

"Many are supportive or opposed the notion but the detailed consideration which might go beyond that to realise it is mostly absent. A great deal has taken place in academia but hardly any elected officials or activists seek to involve themselves even with the essentials. As an example, what sort of state would you want? Centralised? Federal?"

Publication's Method

In the book, neither author endorses unity or the current situation. Both composes two pieces that aim for neutrality in detailing the case for a unified Ireland and the case against, marshalling economic and societal figures, historical precedents and structural examples.

Discussions encompass flags and symbols, levies, healthcare systems, pensions, national debt responsibilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to educate and encourage dialogue.

"There is significant curiosity in the topic but there is still lacking a debate," commented the writer. "Dialogue implies an acceptance of the notion that there could be reasonable perspectives on either side."

Dual Referendums

A public vote in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the republic, where the electorate report they support unity but oppose greater financial contributions or implementing a new flag to acknowledge unionists' UK heritage.

"Policymakers in Ireland does need to establish what the offer from pro-unification movements is aside from just saying: 'We desire a united Ireland and we value you'," stated O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

The journalist considers a referendum in his lifetime is possible and that it could happen suddenly. "There might be just a mad or a poor or a incompetent secretary of state who declares: 'We should proceed and settle the matter.'"

Each of the nationalists and unionists have plausible, legitimate arguments, he commented. "One side will succeed here and somebody will in the end be defeated but all factions has got important lessons to learn from the other's viewpoints."

Appeal for Broader Dialogue

Westminster must engage with the dialogue, said O’Toole. "This is about the United Kingdom. It's a UK matter equally as it is an Irish matter."