The English Language proficency requirement for the Cb-M IR and EIR is perhaps a blessing in disguise for the continuance of the IMCr / IR(R). Because it means that francophone pilots, if unable to achieve ICAO 6 level English, will still be able to obtain either the Cb-M IR or EIR restricted to French-speaking Member States - and will thus be useful allies to add strength to more flexible regulation in the Basic Regulation before 2019....
But it will be interesting to see how much interest there will actually be in the EIR. As now proposed, it is far better than the rather vague original proposal - and which led to so many arguments when the NPA was first released.