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Ten years following the UK entered into a hurried public vote that divided the country and triggered disorder, a warning emerges from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

Policymakers and voters drifted into Brexit and the identical may happen with a national vote on a united Ireland, triggering convulsions for which no one is prepared.

That is the message from two respected writers from either side of the Irish border who have joined forces to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland departing the UK to create a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Not Ready

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have determined that the political establishments in Ireland and Britain are extremely ill-prepared for a possibly tense and monumental public vote.

"The crucial insight of Brexit remains unheeded, which is that stuff can arise suddenly and can gain traction very quickly," the commentator stated. "In my opinion that the institutional structure of our region remains extremely volatile."

Book Publication Seeks to Provoke Discussion

The duo have examined the governmental, economic and societal reasons for any structural alteration in a book, For and Against a United Ireland, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They aim to provoke discussion on the topic with a series of public talks that will take them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

"What concerns all parties, or should haunt everybody, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," said the analyst.

"We must avoid a national vote on a binary, vague proposition whose consequences have not been clarified because then you end up with an extremely polarised community where those defeated are resistant to defeat and the people who have won are uncertain quite what it is that they have gained."

Legal Framework

Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland official is obliged to schedule a public vote on Irish unification if it is indicated that a most voters would approve.

Nationalist parties and other pro-unification groups say such a time is imminent, and a organisation named pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and unionists minimise the likelihood, leaving it unclear whether or when there will be a referendum.

Lack of Substantive Discussion

Ideological statements for and against unity has obscured the absence of informed dialogue, said the journalist.

"Individuals are often for or against the concept but the detailed consideration which may surpass that to achieve it hasn't for the most part happened. A lot has taken place in academia but scarcely any elected officials or advocates seek to involve themselves with even the basics. For instance, what type of nation would you want? Unitary? Federal?"

Publication's Method

In the book, neither author endorses unification or the status quo. They composes two essays that seek impartiality in laying out the argument for a united Ireland and the argument against, assembling economic and social data, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Arguments range over identity markers, levies, medical care, pensions, sovereign debt obligations and the danger of loyalist violence. The objective is to enlighten and encourage discussion.

"Considerable attention exists in the issue but there is still lacking a dialogue," commented the writer. "Dialogue suggests an recognition of the notion that there could be valid points on each side."

Parallel Votes

A referendum in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the republic, where citizens say they prefer unity but oppose increased taxation or implementing a different emblem to recognise pro-UK communities' British identity.

"Policymakers in Ireland does need to determine what the plan from pro-unification movements is aside from just saying: 'We want a unified Ireland and we love you'," said O’Toole.

Likelihood of Public Vote

McBride believes a referendum in his era is likely and that it could happen unexpectedly. "You could have just a irresponsible or a bad or a incompetent secretary of state who states: 'We should proceed and get it out of the way.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have plausible, valid points, he stated. "Somebody will prevail here and the other side will ultimately lose but each side has possesses valuable insights to learn from the other's viewpoints."

Request for More Extensive Debate

Westminster needed to join the debate, urged the analyst. "This concerns Britain. It's a British question equally as it is an Irish matter."