What was the debate like for Northern Ireland's decision to opt out of the Irish Free State?

Northern Ireland had nearly risen in revolt in 1914, there had been a bitter civil war for 4 years, the North was and remained for many decades steadfastly resolved to stay with the UK.

It should occasion no surprise that there was no debate, no division, no recorded vote, and only one person speaking after Northern Ireland's Prime Minister, and that only on a point of order. The split was passed nemine contradicente, without dissent.

Details:

The Wikipedia article points to the papers of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, pp. 1147-50: [this is 1141](http://www.ahds.ac.uk/stormontpapers/pageview.html?volumeno=2&pageno=1147#fwd-2-1141] about the October adjournment. The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland said explicitly, about the upcoming vote

when the 6th of December is passed the month begins in which we will have to make the choice either to vote out or remain within the Free State. There has never been any doubt in the mind of any hon. Member of this House on that point. At the same time we have to go through the formula of doing it, and, therefore, we are very anxious to get as soon as possible in the early stages of that month in order that it may not go forth to the world that we had the slightest hesitation about the act we propose to take. If there was any delay people would wonder, whereas if we take the first moment available for us to call the House together and to lay before it a motion which the Government will propose, then I think there can be no misunderstanding in any part of the globe about our continued anxiety to remain with Great Britain in the closest possible alliance, and at the moment, at all events, to stay quite clear of a Dublin Parliament. (Hon. Members: Hear, hear.)

In other words, he was telegraphing that there was no doubt what was going to happen, but that it should be done in a swift but orderly way.

1145a starts the business of 7 December 1922. The PM states that there was only one piece of business that day.

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER.

Motion made and Question proposed:

"That and humble Address be presented to His Majesty as followeth":

MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, having learnt of the passing of the Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922, being the Act of Parliament for the ratification of the Articles of Agreement for a, Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland, do, by this humble Address, pray your Majesty that the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland.

He spoke a bit to say that he hoped that the House and Senate actions would pass that day. "No one in this Assembly, and certainly none of the Loyalists in Ulster have expected any other action on our part for a very long time past, and I am sure hon. Members will acquit me of any ambiguity on this subject since I have had the honour to lead them in this House."

Only one person spoke, to request a division to put members on record as supporting it, "there may possibly be in the future some persons who will say they occupied a neutral position with respect to this matter, or they may in their wisdom think it might be politic not to assent". The Speaker said a division was not possible unless that member challenged a division. He did not.

"Question put, and agreed to." "Ordered: 'That this Address be communicated to the Senate for their concurrence.'" "Later: MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE." They agreed.

There was one other piece of business, a second reading for an appropriations bill. Then a "debate" about adjournment, apparently just a hook for people to talk about the split and the future. The PM: "I wish to thank the House for the very cordial way in which they have supported me in the suggestion that we should discuss any matters of importance when we are out of the Free State instead of when we are in it, although that is a mere technicality." The Northern Ireland Government was steadfastly refusing to participate in any way in the Boundary Commission and were utterly refusing to cede one inch of land, and the House supported him wholly. I'm getting tired of reading more about the agreement on that point, and on the treatment of diseased animals and other Reserved Powers; read if you like.

/r/AskHistorians Thread