🔗 Share this article Irish Unification Referendum Should Not Become 'A Repeat of Brexit', Commentators Warn Ten years following the UK entered into a hasty referendum that polarised the country and triggered turmoil, a warning emerges from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat. Policymakers and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the identical could occur with a referendum on a unified Ireland, sparking convulsions for which nobody is ready. That represents the warning from two leading writers from either side of the Irish border who have teamed up to scrutinise the benefits and drawbacks of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to form a fresh nation with the Republic of Ireland. Administrative Structures Not Ready Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have concluded that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully ill-prepared for a potentially fraught and monumental 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 swiftly," O’Toole stated. "In my opinion that the institutional structure of our region remains highly fragile." Book Publication Aims to Stir Debate The team have analysed the governmental, financial and cultural arguments for any governmental shift in a publication, The Case For and Against Unification, released by the Irish Royal Irish Academy. They seek to stir debate on the topic with a roadshow of lectures that will lead them to Westminster in the coming weeks. "What troubles everybody, or ought to concern every person, is the Brexit referendum of 2016," stated O’Toole. "We must avoid a national vote on a binary, ambiguous question whose implications have not been spelled out because then you find yourself with an extraordinarily divided society where the losing side are unable to accept defeat and the those successful lack clarity quite what it is that they have achieved." Legal Framework Under the peace accord, the Northern Ireland official should call a public vote on Irish unification if it appears likely that a majority would approve. Sinn Féin and other nationalists argue such a time is imminent, and a organisation called pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but authorities in Dublin and London and pro-UK factions downplay the likelihood, leaving it unclear if and when there could be a national vote. Insufficient Informed Dialogue Partisan language supporting and opposing unity has hidden the absence of serious debate, noted McBride. "People tend to be supportive or opposed the notion but the concrete planning which may surpass that to realise it is mostly absent. A great deal has taken place in scholarly circles but scarcely any government figures or campaigners want to engage with the basics. As an example, which kind of country should be desired? Centralised? Federal?" Volume's Strategy In the book, neither author endorses unification or the existing arrangement. Each composes two articles that seek neutrality in presenting the argument for a united Ireland and the argument against, gathering economic and societal figures, historical precedents and constitutional models. Debates range over flags and symbols, taxes, medical care, retirement funds, public liabilities and the danger of pro-UK militancy. The aim is to educate and provoke discussion. "There is significant curiosity in the topic but there is still lacking a debate," commented the writer. "Debate indicates an acknowledgement of the idea that there might be good arguments on either side." Parallel Votes A referendum in Northern Ireland would also trigger one in the republic, where the electorate say they favour unification but oppose increased taxation or adopting a alternative symbol to recognise pro-UK communities' British identity. "Authorities in Dublin must determine what the plan from pro-unification movements is aside from just saying: 'We seek a united Ireland and we value you'," remarked the commentator. Possibility of Referendum The journalist thinks a national vote in his lifetime is possible and that it could happen unexpectedly. "It is possible just a reckless or a ill-advised or a feckless secretary of state who says: 'We should proceed and resolve it.'" Each of the pro-unification advocates and pro-UK supporters have credible, valid arguments, he stated. "One side will prevail here and somebody will ultimately lose but each side has has important lessons to acquire from the opposing arguments." Appeal for Broader Discussion Westminster should engage with the dialogue, said O’Toole. "This concerns your state. It's a UK matter as much as it is an Irish issue."