Switzerland ranked highest of 139 countries for the sixth year in a row, while the UK came in at sixth overall. Ireland is climbing back up the Global Innovation Index (GII), ranking in 18th place this year out of nearly 140 countries. The UK ranked sixth in this year’s index. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, TD, said that he is “very pleased” by Ireland’s progress at the GII. “The Action Plan rightly places research and innovation at the heart of Ireland’s future competitiveness and productivity,” Minister Lawless added.