I'll try to add some clarification..
If you want a CPL/IR you have 2 choices for exams.
1: CPL and IR exams. These will lead to CPL/IR *BUT* if you later want to upgrade to ATPL you will still have to do all ATPL exams (minus a few easy ones)
2: Go straight for the ATPL exams (there is not much difference) - these can be used in lieu of the CPL exams (and PPL exams as well in my case!) - once you have a CPL/IR the exams remain valid for 7 years for the ATPL
You have to learn a LOT of nonsense, most of which you will forget 2-3 years later when it's time to upgrade so you really don't want to do the whole thing twice. In addition - very few people take the CPL exams - which means there is much more support for ATPL exams anyway!