This Article is based on Court of Justice caselaw which has recognised freedom to exercise an economic or commercial activity (see judgments of 14 May 1974, Case 4/73 Nold [1974] ECR 491, paragraph 14 of the grounds, and of 27 September 1979, Case 230-78 SPA Eridiana and others [1979] ECR 2749, paragraphs 20 and 31 of the grounds) and freedom of contract (see inter alia Sukkerfabriken Nykøbing judgment, Case 151/78 [1979] ECR 1, paragraph 19 of the grounds, and judgment of 5 October 1999, C-240/97 Spain v Commission, [1999] ECR I-6571, paragraph 99 of the grounds) and Article I-3(2) of the Constitution, which recognises free competition.
Tá an tAirteagal seo bunaithe ar chásdlí na Cúirte Breithiúnais inar aithníodh an tsaoirse chun gníomhaíocht eacnamaíochta nó thráchtála a fheidhmiú (féach breithiúnais an 14 Bealtaine 1974, Cás 4/73, Nold [1974] ECR 491, mír 14 de na forais; agus an 27 Meán Fómhair 1979, Cás 230 78 SPA Eridiana agus eile [1979] ECR 2749, míreanna 20 agus 31 de na forais agus an tsaoirse chonarthach (féach inter alia Sukkerfabriken Nykøbing, Cás 151/78 [1979] ECR 11, mír 19 de na forais, agus breithiúnas an 5 Deireadh Fómhair 1999, C 240 / 97 An Spáinn v. an Coimisiún, [1999] ECR I6571, mír 99 de na forais), agus Airteagal I-3(2) den Bhunreacht ina n-aithnítear an tsaoriomaíocht.