The head of one of Northern Ireland’s leading business organisations has called on opponents of prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal to present their own proposals, in a veiled jab at Arlene Foster’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

“For those that are not in support of the draft agreement, it is now time to outline your alternative proposals,” Northern Ireland Chamber president Ellvena Graham said on Thursday.

She was speaking to some 850 attendees at the chamber’s annual banquet in Belfast. Graham said May’s draft Brexit deal was “undoubtedly a welcome step forward for the majority of businesses in Northern Ireland” and said it was “definitely much better than a no-deal scenario.”

“We therefore encourage our political representatives who support the draft agreement to do everything in their power to influence political representatives in Britain to join them.”

The DUP, whose 10 MPs prop up May’s government in the House of Commons, has said the agreement is “worse than no deal.”

Its stance has led to a split with business groups in Northern Ireland, with DUP MP Sammy Wilson calling businesses backing the deal “the puppets of the Northern Ireland Office.”

The Northern Ireland branch of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said last week that it was “broadly supportive” of May’s deal, and it also has been endorsed by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, which represents manufacturers, and the Ulster Farmers Union, which is traditionally close to the DUP.

READ MORE: Theresa May denies ‘giving up’ before agreeing Brexit deal

“We’ve received a lot of stick in some quarters for saying this but let me say to our critics — we’re not your opposition. We’re not the enemy. We want the outcome that’s best for businesses, for consumers, for the economy and for the future stability of Northern Ireland,” Graham said.

During a visit to Belfast on Tuesday, May noted that she had been given a “clear message” by the business community. “The overwhelming message I get is this is a deal that does deliver for constituents,” she said.

The DUP is opposed to any agreement that could see Northern Ireland more closely aligned with the EU’s customs and trade rules, and Foster, the party’s leader, implied earlier this week that May “given up” before signing her Brexit deal with the European Union.