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Ten years following the UK embarked on a hurried referendum that split the nation and unleashed disorder, a advisory is issued from beyond the Irish Sea: it may occur once more.

Policymakers and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the same might transpire with a national vote on a united Ireland, initiating disturbances for which no one is ready.

That represents the warning from two leading writers from either side of the Irish border who have teamed up to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to establish a new state with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Structures Unprepared

The author and columnist and The Northern Ireland editor, have determined that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are extremely unready for a potentially tense and seismic referendum.

"The lesson of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that stuff can come out of the blue and can build support rapidly," the commentator said. "I would suggest that the political architecture of our islands remains very unstable."

Released Volume Aims to Provoke Discussion

The pair have analysed the political, economic and societal reasons for any constitutional change in a publication, For and Against a United Ireland, issued by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to encourage dialogue on the topic with a tour of speaking events that will take them to Westminster in the coming weeks.

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

"We should prevent a referendum on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose consequences have not been spelled out because then you end up with an extremely divided society where the losing side are resistant to losing and the people who have won are uncertain quite what it is that they have achieved."

Constitutional Provision

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland government minister is obliged to schedule a public vote on Irish unity if it is indicated that a majority would vote in favour.

Sinn Féin and other nationalists say that moment is looming, and a organisation called pro-unification advocates has rallied support, but both governments and unionists minimise the possibility, making it uncertain when or if there will be a referendum.

Lack of Substantive Discussion

Ideological statements supporting and opposing unification has obscured the lack of serious debate, noted the journalist.

"People tend to be for or against the idea but the detailed consideration which may surpass that to achieve it hasn't for the most part happened. Much has occurred in universities but very few politicians or activists are willing to participate with even the essentials. For instance, what type of nation should be desired? Unitary? Federal?"

Publication's Method

In the volume, none of the commentators endorses unification or the current situation. Both writes two articles that seek neutrality in laying out the case for a united Ireland and the rationale opposing it, gathering economic and social statistics, historical precedents and constitutional models.

Discussions range over national emblems, duties, healthcare systems, retirement funds, public liabilities and the threat of unionist unrest. The objective is to inform and encourage conversation.

"Considerable attention exists in the subject but there hasn't quite been a debate," stated the writer. "Dialogue suggests an acknowledgement of the concept that there may exist reasonable perspectives on both sides."

Simultaneous Plebiscites

A referendum in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the republic, where the electorate report they prefer unity but oppose paying higher taxes or introducing a different emblem to recognise unionists' British culture.

"Policymakers in Ireland must determine what the offer from Irish nationalism is aside from just stating: 'We want a unified Ireland and we welcome you'," remarked the commentator.

Likelihood of Public Vote

McBride considers a national vote in his lifetime is possible and that it may take place abruptly. "There might be just a irresponsible or a ill-advised or a negligent government minister who declares: 'Let's just do this and resolve it.'"

Each of the pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have reasonable, legitimate perspectives, he commented. "One side will win in this matter and the other side will ultimately not succeed but each side has has important lessons to gain from the other's viewpoints."

Request for More Extensive Debate

Westminster should join the debate, urged the analyst. "This concerns Britain. It's a UK matter just as much as it is an Irish matter."