UK Prime Minister Theresa May has abandoned plans to present a Brexit blueprint to a critical summit of European Union leaders later this month, according to a report in the London Financial Times. The summit has long been billed as a deadline for Britain to produce acceptable answers on the most intractable of Brexit questions – including the Irish border. In an exclusive interview with CGTN's Richard Bestic, Ireland's deputy prime minister says time is running out.

As part of the European Union, the lush green border between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is an invisible divide.

Its importance to trade and peace, all the greater for that. The Irish Republic insistent: Post-Brexit, there can be no return to a hard border.

SIMON COVENEY IRISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER "Most importantly that we prevent any physical infrastructure re-emerging between the two jurisdictions on this Island, which as I say in the past has been such a symbol of division on this Island of Ireland and we are not going to allow that to happen again in the future."

In London, that position is seen as undermining the centerpiece of the UK's Brexit plans. Prime Minister Theresa May's hopes of agreeing future customs arrangements blocked at the border.

Keeping it as it is now means the UK remaining inside the EU Customs Union, preventing post-Brexit Britain making its own global trade arrangements, a treasured prize in London.

Brussels Brexit negotiators though have taken Dublin's side and say no change.

The Democratic Unionists, the dominant political party in the North, have warned they'll withdraw their critical support for Theresa May's government if she adopts a Brexit deal that treats Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the UK.

While just south of the border, in Dundalk, memories are fresh of a murderous 30-year terrorist war that hit the community hard.

"I remember the hours we had to queue and being stopped and cars searched by the British Army."

"A reintroduction of a hard border would have many implications."

"It is not acceptable, but people realize it could be a reality that no-one wants."

RICHARD BESTIC DUNDALK "But if you're seeking a Brexit Dividend, have a look at these green fields. A €350 million Euro investment just outside Dundalk by Chinese bioprocessing giant WuXi in its first plant outside Asia. To encourage other investments, however, there'll need to be agreement on the border, and quickly. RB, CGTN, Dundalk Ireland."