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Ten years after the UK entered into a rushed public vote that divided the country and unleashed chaos, a warning is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it could happen again.

The government and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar might transpire with a national vote on a unified Ireland, triggering convulsions for which no one is equipped.

That is the message from two leading commentators from both sides of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Ireland departing the UK to create a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Administrative Structures Unprepared

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride, have determined that the government bodies in Ireland and Britain are woefully unready for a potentially contentious and transformative public vote.

"The key takeaway of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that developments can come out of the blue and can gather momentum very quickly," the commentator remarked. "It is my view that the institutional structure of our islands remains very unstable."

Released Volume Aims to Stir Debate

The pair have studied the governmental, economic and cultural rationales for any constitutional change in a volume, For and Against a United Ireland, published by the Irish Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to encourage dialogue on the matter with a series of public talks that will take them to Westminster soon.

"What concerns everybody, or must worry every person, is the Brexit vote of 2016," stated the analyst.

"We must avoid a referendum on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose results have remained undefined because then you find yourself with an highly divided society where people who have lost are not reconciled to losing and the those successful lack clarity quite what it is that they have gained."

Governmental Mandate

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland government minister should call a referendum on Irish unification if it is indicated that a most voters would support.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists claim this point is looming, and a group named pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and unionists play down the likelihood, leaving it unclear when or if there could be a referendum.

Insufficient Informed Dialogue

Partisan language supporting and opposing unity has masked the absence of serious debate, stated McBride.

"Individuals are often supportive or opposed the concept but the actual thinking which could extend past that to realise it is mostly absent. A great deal has occurred in universities but scarcely any politicians or activists seek to involve themselves with the fundamentals. For instance, what type of nation might be preferred? Unitary? Decentralised?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, no writer supports unification or the status quo. Each writes two articles that seek neutrality in detailing the argument for a united Ireland and the case opposing it, gathering economic and social statistics, past examples and structural examples.

Discussions cover national emblems, taxes, healthcare systems, retirement funds, public liabilities and the risk of pro-UK militancy. The goal is to inform and provoke dialogue.

"Considerable attention exists in the topic but there hasn't quite been a discussion," said O’Toole. "Dialogue implies an recognition of the notion that there might be reasonable perspectives on either side."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A public vote in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate say they prefer unification but reject greater financial contributions or implementing a new flag to recognise pro-UK communities' British identity.

"The Irish government must work out what the proposal from nationalist groups is other than just saying: 'We want a united Ireland and we love you'," stated O’Toole.

Likelihood of Referendum

The journalist believes a referendum in his generation is possible and that it might occur unexpectedly. "You could have just a irresponsible or a ill-advised or a feckless secretary of state who states: 'Let's just do this and get it out of the way.'"

Each of the nationalists and unionists have reasonable, valid perspectives, he said. "One side will win in this matter and somebody will in the end lose but all factions has possesses important lessons to gain from the opposing positions."

Appeal for Wider Dialogue

Westminster must join the discussion, stated O’Toole. "This concerns Britain. It is a British question as much as it is an Irish question."