BEagle, thanks for the bullet points, although I have a doubt now.
If I had a plain JAR-PPL right now, I could add an IMCR to it (no later than 8 Apr 2014) and then convert the lot to an EASA PPL(A) + IR(R). Fine.
What if I had already a Part-FCL licence right now (plain vanilla EASA PPL - Aeroplanes): would it still be possible, up to 8 Apr 2014, to add an IR(R) rating to it (not an IMCR, since you said that it's not possible due to a technicality)? Or is the former the only route to an EASA PPL(A) + IR(R)?