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Ten years after the UK entered into a hasty public vote that split the nation and caused chaos, a warning comes from beyond the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

Policymakers and voters sleepwalked into Brexit and the same could occur with a national vote on a united Ireland, initiating disturbances for which no one is prepared.

That is the message from two leading journalists from each side of the Irish border who have collaborated to analyse the pros and cons of Northern Ireland departing the UK to form a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have determined that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are extremely unprepared for a possibly tense and transformative public vote.

"The lesson of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that stuff can come out of the blue and can gain traction swiftly," O’Toole remarked. "It is my view that the political architecture of our islands remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Seeks to Stir Debate

The pair have studied the political, financial and cultural reasons for any constitutional change in a volume, For and Against a United Ireland, released by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They hope to encourage dialogue on the matter with a roadshow of speaking events that will lead them to Westminster soon.

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

"We do not want a national vote on a binary, unclear proposal whose implications have not been clarified because then you find yourself with an highly split population where those defeated are not reconciled to losing and the people who have won are uncertain quite what it is that they have won."

Legal Framework

Under the Good Friday agreement, the Northern Ireland official must arrange a public vote on Irish unification if it is indicated that a majority would support.

Sinn Féin and other pro-unification groups argue that moment is imminent, and a group named pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and pro-UK factions play down the possibility, resulting in ambiguity whether or when there could be a national vote.

Absence of Informed Dialogue

Partisan language for and against unity has hidden the absence of informed dialogue, said McBride.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the concept but the concrete planning which may surpass that to realise it is mostly absent. A lot has gone on in universities but scarcely any politicians or advocates seek to involve themselves with the essentials. To illustrate, which kind of country should be desired? Centralised? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the book, none of the commentators supports unification or the existing arrangement. Both composes two pieces that seek objectivity in presenting the argument for a united Ireland and the argument against, marshalling financial and societal statistics, previous instances and governmental frameworks.

Debates cover identity markers, taxes, healthcare systems, retirement funds, national debt responsibilities and the danger of pro-UK militancy. The objective is to educate and stimulate dialogue.

"There is significant curiosity in the issue but there is still lacking a discussion," stated the writer. "Dialogue suggests an recognition of the idea that there could be good arguments on either side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A public vote in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate claim they support unity but refuse greater financial contributions or implementing a alternative symbol to reflect pro-UK communities' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin should establish what the proposal from nationalist groups is aside from just declaring: 'We want a unified Ireland and we welcome you'," said O’Toole.

Possibility of Referendum

The journalist considers a referendum in his generation is possible and that it might occur suddenly. "You could have just a mad or a ill-advised or a feckless government minister who declares: 'Let us proceed and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, valid perspectives, he commented. "One side will prevail on this issue and the other side will ultimately not succeed but both parties has possesses important lessons to gain from the alternative arguments."

Request for Wider Dialogue

Westminster must participate in the discussion, urged O’Toole. "This involves Britain. It's a British question equally as it is an Irish question."